John Acton

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The fate of every democracy, of every government based on the sovereignty of the people, depends on the choices it read more

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.

History provides neither compensation for suffering nor penalties for wrong.

History provides neither compensation for suffering nor penalties for wrong.

Liberty is the condition of duty, the guardian of conscience. It grows as conscience grows. The domains of both grow read more

Liberty is the condition of duty, the guardian of conscience. It grows as conscience grows. The domains of both grow together. Liberty is safety from all hindrances, even sin. So that Liberty ends by being Free Will.

Far from being the product of a democratic revolution and of an opposition to English institutions, the constitution of the read more

Far from being the product of a democratic revolution and of an opposition to English institutions, the constitution of the United States was the result of a powerful reaction against democracy, and in favor of the traditions of the mother country.