Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority…
LORD ACTONLiberty has not only enemies which it conquers, but perfidious friends, who rob the fruits of its victories: Absolute democracy, socialism.
More Lord Acton Quotes
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Feudalism made land the measure and the master of all things.
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If there is any presumption, it is the other way against holders of power…power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
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From the absolute will of an entire people there is no appeal, no redemption, no refuge but treason.
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Progress, the religion of those who have none.
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Be generous before you are just. Do not temper mercy with justice.
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There are two things which cannot be attacked in front: ignorance and narrow-mindedness. They can only be shaken by the simple development of the contrary qualities. They will not bear discussion.
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Far from being the product of a democratic revolution and of an opposition to English institutions, the constitution of the United States was the result of a powerful reaction against democracy, and in favor of the traditions of the mother country.
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The will of the people cannot make just that which is unjust.
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The possession of unlimited power corrodes the conscience, hardens the heart, and confounds the understanding.
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Liberty is the prevention of control by others.
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I’m not a driven businessman, but a driven artist. I never think about money. Beautiful things make money.
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Liberty and good government do not exclude each other; and there are excellent reasons why they should go together.
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Authority that does not exist for Liberty is not authority but force.
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Character is tested by true sentiments more than by conduct. A man is seldom better than his word.
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. It is the delicate fruit of a mature civilization; and scarcely a century has passed since nations, that knew the meaning of the term, resolved to be free.
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