Absolutes Quote by Lord Acton
“Liberty has not only enemies which it conquers, but perfidious friends, who rob the fruits of its victories: Absolute democracy, socialism.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Parliamentary Debate, 1885
Freedom can be undermined by those who claim to support it but act against its core values.
In simple terms: Friends can betray liberty.
Key Takeaway
Beware of false allies.
Themes
politics
freedom
betrayal
ideology
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- elections
- policy making
- activism
- journalism
Key Concepts
cynicism
political theory
democratic decay
Questions to Reflect On
- Who are the hidden threats to liberty?
- How can we protect democratic gains?
A Different Perspective
Overgeneralizes all allies as treacherous.
![“Their [the U.S.’s] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as ‘their home — their fortress.’ And good for them, I say. Well done!” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ec3/vladimir-putin-261_absolutes_their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolu_10791.jpg)
