A convinced man differs from a prejudiced man as an honest man from a liar.
LORD ACTONAt all times sincere friends of freedom have been rare, and its triumphs have been due to minorities, that have prevailed by associating themselves with auxiliaries whose objects often differed from their own; and this association, which is always dangerous, has sometimes been disastrous.
More Lord Acton Quotes
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Be not content with the best book; seek sidelights from the others; have no favourites.
LORD ACTON -
The principle of the Inquisition was murderous. . . . The popes were not only murderers in the great style, but they also made murder a legal basis of the Christian Church and a condition of salvation.
LORD ACTON -
. 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.
LORD ACTON -
The 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 ACTON -
Learn as much by writing as by reading.
LORD ACTON -
Liberty is the prevention of control by others. This requires self-control and, therefore, religious and spiritual influences; education, knowledge, well-being.
LORD ACTON -
The true natural check on absolute democracy is the federal system, which limits the central government by the powers reserved, and the state governments by the powers they have ceded.
LORD ACTON -
The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern: every class is unfit to govern.
LORD ACTON -
History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul.
LORD ACTON -
Political differences essentially depend on disagreement in moral principles.
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The 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 ACTON -
Authority that does not exist for Liberty is not authority but force.
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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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Character is tested by true sentiments more than by conduct. A man is seldom better than his word.
LORD ACTON -
There is no error so monstrous that it fails to find defenders among the ablest men.
LORD ACTON