English En
  • Deutsche De
  • English En
  • Français Fr
  • Русский Ru

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our marketing and analytics partners who may combine it with other information you've provided to them or which they've separately collected from you. You also may to see our Privacy Policy. By clicking the OK button below, you accept our cookies.

Authors:

John Acton quotes

English Historian January 10, 1834 – June 19, 1902

Cite this Page: Citation

Quotes

John Acton quote: "If the past has been an obstacle and a burden, knowledge of..."
If the past has been an obstacle and a burden, knowledge of the past is the safest and the surest emancipation. John Acton
By a series of violent shocks, the nations in succession have struggled to shake off the Past, to reverse the action of Time and the verdict of success, and to rescue the world from the reign of the dead. John Acton
John Acton quote: "Save for the wild force of Nature, nothing moves in this world..."
Save for the wild force of Nature, nothing moves in this world that is not Greek in its origin. John Acton
Far from being the product of a democratic revolution and of an opposition to English institutions, the constitution of the United States was the result of a powerful reaction against democracy, and in favor of the traditions of the mother country. John Acton
The fate of every democracy, of every government based on the sovereignty of the people, depends on the choices it makes between these opposite principles, absolute power on the one hand, and on the other the restraints of legality and the authority of tradition. John Acton
Liberty is the condition of duty, the guardian of conscience. It grows as conscience grows. The domains of both grow together. Liberty is safety from all hindrances, even sin. So that Liberty ends by being Free Will. John Acton
By liberty I mean the assurance that every man shall be protected in doing what he believes is his duty against the influence of authority and majorities, custom and opinion. John Acton
John Acton quote: "The greatest men, you can quote for everything."
The greatest men, you can quote for everything. John Acton
John Acton quote: "The most certain test by which we judge whether a country is..."
The most certain test by which we judge whether a country is really free is the amount of security enjoyed by minorities. John Acton
John Acton quote: "History provides neither compensation for suffering nor..."
History provides neither compensation for suffering nor penalties for wrong. John Acton
John Acton quote: "Liberty is the prevention of control by others."
Liberty is the prevention of control by others. John Acton

Popular Author

Related Authors