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John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton Quotes

1834–1902 England

John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, 1st Baron Acton (10 January 1834 – 19 June 1902) was an English Catholic historian, commonly known as Lord Acton.

England
Historians
Non-fiction authors

Also known as: Acton, John, John Acton, Lord Acton, Lord Acton Dalberg, John Emerich Edward Dalberg, Lord Acton

Random John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton quote

87 quotes

There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it.

Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Every thing secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity.

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

The History of Freedom in Antiquity (1877)

There are two things which cannot be attacked in front: ignorance and narrow-mindedness. They can only be shaken by the simple development of the contrary qualities. They will not bear discussion.

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

The History of Freedom in Antiquity (1877)

All power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

A people averse to the institution of private property is without the first element of freedom.

Authority that does not exist for Liberty is not authority but force.

Liberty becomes a question of morals more that politics.

At every step we are met by arguments which go to excuse, to palliate, to confound right and wrong, and reduce the just man to the level of the reprobate.

The Study of History (1895)

The yeoman farmers of the United States have always been the strength of the republic.

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

The History of Freedom in Antiquity (1877)

The early history of the world is the history of a few great men. Their Wirkungskreis is immense—vaster than that of God himself.

Put conscience above both system and success.

Machiavelli's teaching would hardly have stood the test of parliamentary government, for public discussion demands at least the profession of good faith.

The History of Freedom in Christianity (1877)

Sagacity in judging the value of testimony is his [Ranke's] only supreme quality.

The strongest of all the obstacles to progress, the reign of the dead.

The lesson of modern history—that Religions enjoy (are endowed with) the prerogative of perpetual youth while philosophies seldom outlast a generation.

Such things will cease to be written when men perceive that truth is the only merit that gives dignity and worth to history.

The Massacre Of St. Bartholomew (1869)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.