The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that… — Lord Acton Copy Share Image
The form of government and the condition of society must always correspond. Social equality is therefore a postulate of pure democracy. — Lord Acton Copy Share Image
Liberty has not only enemies which it conquers, but perfidious friends, who rob the fruits of its victories: Absolute democracy, socialism. — Lord Acton Copy Share Image
Federalism is the best curb on democracy. [It] assigns limited powers to the central government. Thereby all power is limited. It excludes… — Lord Acton Copy Share Image
I saw in States' rights the only availing check upon the absolutism of the sovereign will, and secession filled me with hope,… — Lord Acton Copy Share Image
Monarchy hardens into despotism. Aristocracy contracts into oligarchy. Democracy expands into the supremacy of numbers. — Lord Acton Copy Share Image
The true natural check on absolute democracy is the federal system, which limits the central government by the powers reserved, and the… — Lord Acton Copy Share Image
The history of institutions is often a history of deception and illusions; for their virtue depends on the ideas that produce and on the… — Lord Acton Copy Share Image
A liberal is only a bundle of prejudices until he has mastered, has understood, experienced the philosophy of Conservatism. — Lord Acton Copy Share Image
Fanaticism displays itself in the masses; but the masses were rarely fanaticised; and the crimes ascribed to it were commonly due to the calculations… — Lord Acton Copy Share Image
In England Parliament is above the law. In America the law is above Congress. — Lord Acton Copy Share Image
There is not a more perilous or immoral habit of mind than the sanctifying of success. — Lord Acton Copy Share Image
It was from America that the plain ideas that men ought to mind their business, and that the nation is responsible to Heaven for… — Lord Acton Copy Share Image
Character is tested by true sentiments more than by conduct. A man is seldom better than his word. — Lord Acton Copy Share Image
Liberty and good government do not exclude each other; and there are excellent reasons why they should go together. Liberty is not a means… — Lord Acton Copy Share Image