LORD ACTON QUOTES
English historian, politician & writer (1834-1902)
The inflexible integrity of the moral code is, to me, the secret of the authority, the dignity, the utility of History. If we may debase the currency for the sake of genius, or success, or rank, or reputation, we may debase it for the sake of a man's influence, of his religion, of his party, of the good cause which prospers by his credit and suffers by his disgrace. Then History ceases to be a science, an arbiter of controversy, a guide of the Wanderer, the upholder of that moral standard which the powers of earth and religion itself tend constantly to depress. It serves where it ought to reign; and it serves the worst cause better than the purest.
LORD ACTON
letter to Mandell Creighton, Apr. 5, 1887
ADVICE TO PERSONS ABOUT TO WRITE HISTORY -- DON'T.
LORD ACTON
postscript of letter to Mandell Creighton, Apr. 5, 1887
Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.
LORD ACTON
letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, Apr. 3, 1887
The most certain test by which we judge whether a country is really free is the amount of security enjoyed by minorities.
LORD ACTON
The History of Freedom in Antiquity
Judge talent at its best and character at its worst.
LORD ACTON
The Study of History
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.
LORD ACTON
The History of Freedom in Antiquity
Great and decided talent is a tower of strength which cannot be subverted. Envy, detraction, and persecution, are missiles hurled against it only to fall harmless at its base, and to strengthen what they cannot overthrow. It seeks not the applause of the present moment, in which folly or mediocrity often secure the preference; but it extends its bright and prophetic vision through the "dark obscure" of distant time, and bequeaths to remote generations the vindication of its honor and fame, and the clear comprehensions of its truths.
LORD ACTON
Acton; Or, The Circle of Life
The true guide of our conduct is no outward authority, but the voice of God, who comes down to dwell in our souls, who knows all our thoughts, to whom are owing all the truth we know, and all the good we do; for vice is voluntary, and virtue comes from the grace of the heavenly spirit within.
LORD ACTON
The History of Freedom in Antiquity
Before God, there is neither Greek nor barbarian, neither rich nor poor, and the slave is as good as his master, for by birth all men are free; they are citizens of that universal commonwealth which embraces all the world, brethren of one family, and children of God.
LORD ACTON
The History of Freedom in Antiquity
Neither an enlightened philosophy, nor all the political wisdom of Rome, nor even the faith and virtue of the Christians availed against the incorrigible tradition of antiquity. Something was wanted, beyond all the gifts of reflection and experience -- a faculty of self government and self control, developed like its language in the fibre of a nation, and growing with its growth.
LORD ACTON
The History of Freedom in Christianity
There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it.
LORD ACTON
letter to Mandell Creighton, Apr. 5, 1887
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.
LORD ACTON
letter to Richard Simpson, Jan. 23, 1861
There is no error so monstrous that it fails to find defenders among the ablest men. Imagine a congress of eminent celebrities, such as More, Bacon, Grotius, Pascal, Cromwell, Bossuet, Montesquieu, Jefferson, Napoleon, Pitt, etc. The result would be an Encyclopedia of Error.
LORD ACTON
letter to Mary Gladstone, Apr. 24, 1881
I talk nonsense at times, because sense is monotonous.
LORD ACTON
letter to Mary Gladstone, September 21, 1880
Judge not according to the orthodox standard of a system religious, philosophical, political, but according as things promote, or fail to promote the delicacy, integrity, and authority of Conscience.
LORD ACTON
postscript of letter to Mandell Creighton, Apr. 5, 1887
Everything secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show it can bear discussion and publicity.
LORD ACTON
letter to Richard Simpson, Jan. 23, 1861
It won't do to shrink from hard speeches and judgments when they are necessary. But it is horrible to make them when one is not compelled.
LORD ACTON
letter to Mary Gladstone, September 21, 1880
Be not content with the best book; seek sidelights from the others.
LORD ACTON
The Study of History
The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections.
LORD ACTON
The History of Freedom in Antiquity
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.
LORD ACTON
The History of Freedom in Antiquity