--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The finest opportunity ever given to the…" description: "\"The finest opportunity ever given to the world was thrown away because the passion of equality made vain the hope for freedom.\" — Lord Acton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/682/lord-acton-3040_capitalism_the-finest-opportunity-ever-given-to-the_3022802.png" --- # The finest opportunity ever given to the world was thrown… ![“The finest opportunity ever given to the world was thrown away because the passion of equality made vain the hope for freedom.” quote by Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/682/lord-acton-3040_capitalism_the-finest-opportunity-ever-given-to-the_3022802.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/682/lord-acton-3040_capitalism_the-finest-opportunity-ever-given-to-the_3022802.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/682/lord-acton-3040_capitalism_the-finest-opportunity-ever-given-to-the_3022802.png) > “The finest opportunity ever given to the world was thrown away because the passion of equality made vain the hope for freedom.” [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The drive for equality can undermine true freedom, causing lost opportunities for societal progress. **In simple terms:** Equality can paradoxically destroy freedom. Key Takeaway Balance equality with liberty. Themes politics philosophy freedom equality history Mood thoughtful critical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - activism - education reform - civil rights movements Key Concepts social contract paradox human nature Questions to Reflect On - How can societies protect freedom while pursuing equality? - What safeguards prevent equality from becoming oppressive? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on equality may ignore individual rights. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Capitalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/) [Equality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equality/) [Equality Vain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equality-vain-4902302/) [Finest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finest/) [Finest Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finest-opportunity-4902303/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Hope Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope-freedom-1345038/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Passion Equality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion-equality-1772408/) [Thrown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thrown/) [Thrown away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thrown-away/) [Vain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vain/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [There is in fact a manly and legitimate passion for equality that spurs all men to wish to be strong and esteemed. This passion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/there-is-in-fact-a-manly-and-legitimate-passion-for-equality-that/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [There is, in fact, a manly and lawful passion for equality which excites men to wish all to be powerful and honored. This passion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/there-is-in-fact-a-manly-and-lawful-passion-for-equality-which/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Passion for equality blinds the utopian to the fact that society, as a whole, is based on inequality of men in two respects: the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-steven-molnar/passion-for-equality-blinds-the-utopian-to-the-fact-that-society-as-a/) [Thomas Steven Molnar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-steven-molnar/) > [Every Frenchman wants to enjoy one or more privileges; that's the way he shows his passion for equality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-de-gaulle/every-frenchman-wants-to-enjoy-one-or-more-privileges-that-s-the-way/) [Charles de Gaulle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-de-gaulle/) > [The passion for equality is partly a passion for anonymity: to be one thread of the many which make up a tunic; one thread…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-passion-for-equality-is-partly-a-passion-for-anonymity-to-be-one/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I have no respect for the passion of equality, which seems to me merely idealizing envy - I don't disparage envy, but I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/i-have-no-respect-for-the-passion-of-equality-which-seems-to-me-2/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [I have no respect for the passion of equality, which seems to me merely idealizing envy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr-2/i-have-no-respect-for-the-passion-of-equality-which-seems-to-me/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr-2/) > [We need international support so that our people live a life of normality, of dignity, of liberty and freedom. I hope that our cry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahmoud-abbas/we-need-international-support-so-that-our-people-live-a-life-of/) [Mahmoud Abbas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahmoud-abbas/) > [“That's all the freedom we can hope for - the freedom to choose our prison.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-m-montgomery/that-s-all-the-freedom-we-can-hope-for-the-freedom-to-choose-our/) [L.M. Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-m-montgomery/) > [None who have always been free can understand the terrible fascinating power of the hope of freedom to those who are not free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/none-who-have-always-been-free-can-understand-the-terrible/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [One of the most important functions of jazz has been to encourage a hope for freedom, for people living in situations of intolerance or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbie-hancock/one-of-the-most-important-functions-of-jazz-has-been-to-encourage-a/) [Herbie Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbie-hancock/) > [What freedom and hope is found in Christ! We don’t need to feel beautiful about ourselves to find happiness! In fact, we’re better off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-mahaney/what-freedom-and-hope-is-found-in-christ-we-don-t-need-to-feel/) [Carolyn Mahaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-mahaney/) > [I am confident that if we stand for the hope and freedom of others we will make our own freedom more secure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tsakhiagiin-elbegdorj/i-am-confident-that-if-we-stand-for-the-hope-and-freedom-of-others-we/) [Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tsakhiagiin-elbegdorj/) > [I grew up in a socialist country. And I have seen what that does to people. There is no hope, no freedom. No pride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-peterffy/i-grew-up-in-a-socialist-country-and-i-have-seen-what-that-does-to/) [Thomas Peterffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-peterffy/) > [“This was freedom. Losing all hope was freedom. If I didn't say anything, people in a group assumed the worst. They cried harder. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/this-was-freedom-losing-all-hope-was-freedom-if-i-didn-t-say-anything/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) ## 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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/the-history-of-institutions-is-often-a-history-of-deception-and/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [A liberal is only a bundle of prejudices until he has mastered, has understood, experienced the philosophy of Conservatism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/a-liberal-is-only-a-bundle-of-prejudices-until-he-has-mastered-has/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [Every class is unfit to govern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/every-class-is-unfit-to-govern/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [Fanaticism displays itself in the masses; but the masses were rarely fanaticised; and the crimes ascribed to it were commonly due to the calculations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/fanaticism-displays-itself-in-the-masses-but-the-masses-were-rarely/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [In England Parliament is above the law. In America the law is above Congress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/in-england-parliament-is-above-the-law-in-america-the-law-is-above/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [There is not a more perilous or immoral habit of mind than the sanctifying of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/there-is-not-a-more-perilous-or-immoral-habit-of-mind-than-the/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [Towns were the nursery of freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/towns-were-the-nursery-of-freedom/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [It was from America that the plain ideas that men ought to mind their business, and that the nation is responsible to Heaven for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/it-was-from-america-that-the-plain-ideas-that-men-ought-to-mind-their/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [Character is tested by true sentiments more than by conduct. A man is seldom better than his word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/character-is-tested-by-true-sentiments-more-than-by-conduct-a-man-is/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [Liberty and good government do not exclude each other; and there are excellent reasons why they should go together. Liberty is not a means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/liberty-and-good-government-do-not-exclude-each-other-and-there-are/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [The test of liberty is the position and security of minorities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/the-test-of-liberty-is-the-position-and-security-of-minorities/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [The common vice of democracy is disregard for morality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/the-common-vice-of-democracy-is-disregard-for-morality/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [Feudalism made land the measure and the master of all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/feudalism-made-land-the-measure-and-the-master-of-all-things/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [“power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutley”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/power-corrupts-absolute-power-corrupts-absolutley/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [There are many things the government cant do, many good purposes it must renounce. It must leave them to the enterprise of others. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/there-are-many-things-the-government-cant-do-many-good-purposes-it/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) [Explore all 141 Lord Acton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) ## More Capitalism quotes > [Don't let's lose sight of what creates wealth. It is open markets, it is capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/don-t-let-s-lose-sight-of-what-creates-wealth-it-is-open-markets-it/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [Crony capitalism is essentially a condition in which... public officials are giving favours to people in the private sector in payment of political favours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/crony-capitalism-is-essentially-a-condition-in-which-public-officials/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/there-is-only-one-party-in-the-united-states-the-property-party-and/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [ Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a \[Soviet socialistic\] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stalin/neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-national-socialism-have-anything/) [Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stalin/) > [Corporations have nothing to do with values, and they know it, and sometimes say it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/corporations-have-nothing-to-do-with-values-and-they-know-it-and/) [Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/) > [Both fact and logic seem to me to support the view that savings invested in privately owned economic tools of production amount to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-a-harper/both-fact-and-logic-seem-to-me-to-support-the-view-that-savings/) [F. A. Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-a-harper/) > [The free market is ugly and stupid, like going to the mall; the unfree market is just as ugly and just as stupid, except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-free-market-is-ugly-and-stupid-like-going-to-the-mall-the-unfree/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Capitalism, communism ... it's all garbage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mstislav-rostropovich/capitalism-communism-it-s-all-garbage/) [Mstislav Rostropovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mstislav-rostropovich/) > [There are no two countries with the same style of economic mechanism, with the same capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatoly-chubais/there-are-no-two-countries-with-the-same-style-of-economic-mechanism/) [Anatoly Chubais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatoly-chubais/) > [It is more than a little ironic that "capital accumulation" once a rather tendentious Marxian view of a supposed capitalist obsession, should have become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kuttner/it-is-more-than-a-little-ironic-that-capital-accumulation-once-a/) [Robert Kuttner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kuttner/) > [Historically, usury was defined as any interest whatever on an unproductive loan.Our whole banking system I have ever abhorred, I continue to abhor, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/historically-usury-was-defined-as-any-interest-whatever-on-an/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Socialism is humanity's second nature. All politicians do is turn human vice into votes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilana-mercer/socialism-is-humanity-s-second-nature-all-politicians-do-is-turn/) [Ilana Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilana-mercer/) > [“Scholars have long debated whether capital markets lead to appropriate levels of saving and investment for future generations.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-l-weimer/scholars-have-long-debated-whether-capital-markets-lead-to/) [David L. Weimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-l-weimer/) > [“A car is one of the most interesting inventions, but driving is one of the most boring activities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/a-car-is-one-of-the-most-interesting-inventions-but-driving-is-one-of/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) [Browse all 3,832 Capitalism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The finest opportunity ever given to the world was thrown away because the passion of equality made vain the hope for freedom.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lord Acton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/the-finest-opportunity-ever-given-to-the-world-was-thrown-away/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Capitalism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/the-finest-opportunity-ever-given-to-the-world-was-thrown-away/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/682/lord-acton-3040_capitalism_the-finest-opportunity-ever-given-to-the_3022802.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/682/lord-acton-3040_capitalism_the-finest-opportunity-ever-given-to-the_3022802.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/682/lord-acton-3040_capitalism_the-finest-opportunity-ever-given-to-the_3022802.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The finest opportunity ever given to the world was thrown away because the passion of equality made vain the…” — Lord Acton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Lord Acton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The finest opportunity ever given to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/the-finest-opportunity-ever-given-to-the-world-was-thrown-away/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/the-finest-opportunity-ever-given-to-the-world-was-thrown-away/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```