Liberty is the prevention of control by others.
LORD ACTONLiberty is the prevention of control by others.
LORD ACTONOpinions alter, manners change, creeds rise and fall, but the moral law is written on the tablets of eternity.
LORD ACTONLive both in the future and the past. Who does not live in the past does not live in the future.
LORD ACTONI’m not a driven businessman, but a driven artist. I never think about money. Beautiful things make money.
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 ACTONFanaticism in religion is the alliance of the passions she condemns with the dogmas she professes.
LORD ACTONThe science of politics is the one science that is deposited by the streams of history, like the grains of gold in the sand of a river; and the knowledge of the past, the record of truths revealed by experience, is eminently practical, as an instrument of action and a power that goes to making the future.
LORD ACTONTo develop and perfect and arm conscience is the great achievement of history.
LORD ACTONLiberty has not only enemies which it conquers, but perfidious friends, who rob the fruits of its victories: Absolute democracy, socialism.
LORD ACTONFor centuries it was never discovered that education was a function of the State, and the State never attempted to educate.
LORD ACTONCharacter is tested by true sentiments more than by conduct. A man is seldom better than his word.
LORD ACTONIt is bad to be oppressed by a minority, but it is worse to be oppressed by a majority. For there is a reserve of latent power in the masses which, if it is called into play.
LORD ACTONFeudalism made land the measure and the master of all things.
LORD ACTONLiberty is the prevention of control by others. This requires self-control and, therefore, religious and spiritual influences; education, knowledge, well-being.
LORD ACTONIt is easier to find people fit to govern themselves than people fit to govern others.
LORD ACTONThere is no error so monstrous that it fails to find defenders among the ablest men.
LORD ACTON