Character is tested by true sentiments more than by conduct. A man is seldom better than his word. Lord Acton More Quotes by Lord Acton More Quotes From Lord Acton Feudalism made land the measure and the master of all things. Lord Acton land real made Neither an enlightened philosophy, nor all the political wisdom of Rome, nor even the faith and virtue of the Christians availed against the incorrigible tradition of antiquity. Something was wanted, beyond all the gifts of reflection and experience - a faculty of self government and self control, developed like its language in the fibre of a nation, and growing with its growth. Lord Acton reflection christian philosophy The State is competent to assign duties and draw the line between good and evil only in its immediate sphere. Beyond the limits of things necessary for its well-being, it can only give indirect help to fight the battle of life by promoting the influences which prevail against temptation--religion, education, and the distribution of wealth. Lord Acton fighting evil giving The light that has guided us is still unquenched, and the causes that have carried us so far in the van of free nations have not spent their power; because the story of the future is written in the past, and that which hath been is the same thing that shall be. Lord Acton light stories past When the last of the Reformers died, religion, instead of emancipating the nations, had become an excuse for the criminal art of despots. Calvin preached, and Bellarmine lectured; but Machiavelli reigned. Lord Acton criminals lasts art I have reached the end of my time, and have hardly come to the beginning of my task. Lord Acton my-time tasks ends Self-preservation and self-denial: the basis of all political economy. Lord Acton denial political self Political differences essentially depend on disagreement in moral principles. Lord Acton political-differences moral principles The form of government and the condition of society must always correspond. Social equality is therefore a postulate of pure democracy. Lord Acton democracy government social Many men can no more be kept straight by spiritual motives than we can live without policemen. Lord Acton motive spiritual men It is dangerous, at any time, to multiply sources of weakness. Lord Acton dangerous weakness source The reward of history is that it releases and relieves us from present strife. Lord Acton release strife rewards Every error pronounces judgment on itself when it attempts to apply its rules to the standard of truth. Lord Acton standards judgment errors Remember that one touch of ill-nature makes the whole world kin. Lord Acton ill remember world The epoch of doubt and transition during which the Greeks passed from the dim fancies of mythology to the fierce light of science was the age of Pericles, and the endeavour to substitute certain truth for the prescriptions of impaired authorities, which was then beginning to absorb the energies of the Greek intellect, is the grandest movement in the profane annals of mankind, for to it we owe, even after the immeasurable progress accomplished by Christianity, much of our philosophy and far the better part of the political knowledge we possess. Lord Acton political light philosophy Fanaticism displays itself in the masses; but the masses were rarely fanaticised; and the crimes ascribed to it were commonly due to the calculations of dispassionate politicians. Lord Acton crime politician politics Truth is the only merit that gives dignity and worth to history. Lord Acton merit giving history The long term versus the short term argument is one used by losers. Lord Acton sunset loser long History is not only a particular branch of knowledge, but a particular mode and method of knowledge in other branches. Lord Acton method branches history To develop and perfect and arm conscience is the great achievement of history. Lord Acton achievement perfect history
