Common Quote by Lord Acton
“Liberty, next to religion has been the motive of good deeds and the common pretext of crime...”
About This Quote
Source Book: Essays on Liberty and Religion, 1885
Good deeds are driven by liberty and religion, but those same motives can justify crimes.
In simple terms: Freedom and faith can inspire both virtue and vice.
Key Takeaway
Beware how motives are used.
Themes
morality
motivation
freedom
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- social reform
- legal systems
- personal decisions
Key Concepts
ethics
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure your motives stay pure?
- When does a noble cause become a pretext for harm?
A Different Perspective
Motives can be twisted for selfish ends.
![“[Liberty] considers religion as the safeguard of morality, and morality as the best security of law and the surest pledge of the duration of freedom.” quote by Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3ca/alexis-de-tocqueville-625_american-liberty_liberty-considers-religion-as-the-safegu_2355188.jpg)
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
