The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority.
LORD ACTONA public man has no right to let his actions be determined by particular interests. He does the same thing as a judge who accepts a bribe. Like a judge he must consider what is right, not what is advantageous to a party or class.
More Lord Acton Quotes
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I have reached the end of my time, and have hardly come to the beginning of my task.
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If the past has been an obstacle and a burden, knowledge of the past is the safest and the surest emancipation.
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History provides neither compensation for suffering nor penalties for wrong.
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Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.
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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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Piety sometimes gives birth to scruples, and faith to superstition, when they are not directed by wisdom and knowledge.
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There should be a law to the People besides its own will.
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To develop and perfect and arm conscience is the great achievement of history.
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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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Federalism is the best curb on democracy. [It] assigns limited powers to the central government. Thereby all power is limited. It excludes absolute power of the majority.
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Political differences essentially depend on disagreement in moral principles.
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History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul.
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A wise person does at once, what a fool does at last. Both do the same thing; only at different times.
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Be generous before you are just. Do not temper mercy with justice.
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Limitation is essential to authority. A government is legitimate only if it is effectively limited.
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