Lord Acton

A wise person does at once, what a fool does at last. Both do the same thing; only at different read more

A wise person does at once, what a fool does at last. Both do the same thing; only at different times.

Property is not the sacred right. When a rich man becomes poor it is a misfortune, it is not a read more

Property is not the sacred right. When a rich man becomes poor it is a misfortune, it is not a moral evil. When a poor man becomes destitute, it is a moral evil, teeming with consequences and injurious to society and morality.

It is bad to be oppressed by a minority, but it is worse to be oppressed by a majority. For read more

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.

The most certain test by which we judge whether a country is really free is the amount of security enjoyed read more

The most certain test by which we judge whether a country is really free is the amount of security enjoyed by minorities.

Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.

Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.