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Character Quote by Lord Acton

“Men cannot be made good by the state, but they…” quote by Lord Acton — Download Open image

“Men cannot be made good by the state, but they can easily be made bad. Morality depends on liberty.”

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More by Lord Acton

The history of institutions is often a history of deception and illusions; for their virtue depends on the ideas that produce and on the…

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A liberal is only a bundle of prejudices until he has mastered, has understood, experienced the philosophy of Conservatism.

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Every class is unfit to govern.

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Fanaticism displays itself in the masses; but the masses were rarely fanaticised; and the crimes ascribed to it were commonly due to the calculations…

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In England Parliament is above the law. In America the law is above Congress.

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There is not a more perilous or immoral habit of mind than the sanctifying of success.

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Towns were the nursery of freedom.

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It was from America that the plain ideas that men ought to mind their business, and that the nation is responsible to Heaven for…

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Character is tested by true sentiments more than by conduct. A man is seldom better than his word.

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Liberty and good government do not exclude each other; and there are excellent reasons why they should go together. Liberty is not a means…

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The test of liberty is the position and security of minorities.

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The common vice of democracy is disregard for morality.

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Explore all 141 Lord Acton quotes

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