John Acton

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.

If the past has been an obstacle and a burden, knowledge of the past is the safest and the surest read more

If the past has been an obstacle and a burden, knowledge of the past is the safest and the surest emancipation.

By liberty I mean the assurance that every man shall be protected in doing what he believes is his duty read more

By liberty I mean the assurance that every man shall be protected in doing what he believes is his duty against the influence of authority and majorities, custom and opinion.

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

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.