The possession of unlimited power corrodes the conscience, hardens the heart, and confounds the understanding.
LORD ACTONThe possession of unlimited power corrodes the conscience, hardens the heart, and confounds the understanding.
LORD ACTONLearn as much by writing as by reading.
LORD ACTONA convinced man differs from a prejudiced man as an honest man from a liar.
LORD ACTONPower tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
LORD ACTONEvery thing secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity.
LORD ACTONLiberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end…liberty is the only object which benefits all alike, and provokes no sincere opposition…
LORD ACTONThe passion for power over others can never cease to threaten mankind, and is always sure of finding new and unforseen allies in continuing its martyrology.
LORD ACTONThe true guide of our conduct is no outward authority, but the voice of God, who comes down to dwell in our souls, who knows all our thoughts, to whom are owing all the truth we know, and all the good we do; for vice is voluntary, and virtue comes from the grace of the heavenly spirit within.
LORD ACTONIn every age its (liberty’s) progress has been beset by its natural enemies, by ignorance and superstition, by lust of conquest and by love of ease, by the strong man’s craving for power, and the poor man’s craving for food
LORD ACTONIn England Parliament is above the law. In America the law is above Congress.
LORD ACTONDespotic power is always accompanied by corruption of morality.
LORD ACTONLive both in the future and the past. Who does not live in the past does not live in the future.
LORD ACTONIt is bad to be oppressed by a minority, but it is worse to be oppressed by a majority.
LORD ACTONGreat men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority…
LORD ACTONThe issue which has swept down the centuries and which will have to be fought sooner or later is the people versus the banks.
LORD ACTONThe mills of God grind slowly.
LORD ACTON