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Lord Acton

Lord Acton Quotes

Author

British historian and political theorist, renowned for his profound insights into the relationship between freedom, power, and corruption. Lord Acton was one of the most influential thinkers of the Victorian era, and his works are still widely cited today.

Famous Lord Acton Quotes

“From the absolute will of an entire people there is no appeal, no redemption, no refuge but treason.”

People Absolutes Redemption Appeals Refuge Treason Latent

Book:The History of Freedom (and other Essays)

Source: The History of Freedom (and other Essays)

“A people averse to the institution of private property is without the first elements of freedom”

People Firsts Elements Institutions Property Private Property

Book:The History of Freedom: Great Event

Source: The History of Freedom: Great Event

“The fate of every democracy, of every government based on the sovereignty of the people, depends on the choices it makes between these opposite principles, absolute power on the one hand, and on the other the restraints of legality and the authority of tradition.”

People Hands Government Choices Principles Democracy Fate Depends Authority Tradition Opposites Absolutes Restraint Sovereignty Absolute Power Legality

Author:Lord Acton

“The issue which has swept down the centuries and which will have to be fought sooner or later is the people versus the banks.”

People Political Politics Issues Century Historical Sooner Or Later Versus Banking Usury Bankers And Banks Banks And Money

Author:Lord Acton

“The will of the people cannot make just that which is unjust.”

Author:Lord Acton

“There should be a law to the People besides its own will.”

People Should Law

Author:Lord Acton

“It is easier to find people fit to govern themselves than people fit to govern others.”

People Fit Easier

Author:Lord Acton

“It 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, the minority can seldom resist. But from the absolute will of an entire people there is no appeal, no redemption, no refuge but treason.”

People Ifs Play Mass Absolutes Majority Redemption Appeals Minorities Reserves Refuge Oppressed Treason Latent

Book:The History of Freedom (and other Essays)

Source: The History of Freedom (and other Essays)

“There are many things the government cant do, many good purposes it must renounce. It must leave them to the enterprise of others. It cannot feed the people. It cannot enrich the people. It cannot teach the people. It cannot convert the people.”

People Government Purpose Teach Enterprise Cant Renounce

Author:Lord Acton

“The few have not strength to achieve great changes unaided; the many have not wisdom to be moved by truth unmixed.”

People Achieve Moved Great Change

Book:The History of Freedom: Great Event

Source: The History of Freedom: Great Event

About the Author

Born: January 10, 1834
Died: June 19, 1902
Known for: Author
Quotes: 153

Related Topics

Men Liberty Political Government Absolutes Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely Authority Democracy Absolute Power People States Ends Doe Ideas Politics Power Corrupts Has Beens History Mean Morality

Popular Topics

People Ifs Thinking Knows Men World Way Want Love Life Inspirational Needs Giving Feels Should Writing Trying Years Mind Firsts

Books & Sources

The History of Freedom (and other Essays)Related source material

The History of Freedom: Great EventRelated source material

Lectures on Modern History: Great EventRelated source material

Historical Essays and Studies: Great EventRelated source material

Lectures on Modern HistoryRelated source material

Lectures on the French RevolutionRelated source material

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