Lord Acton

The man who prefers his country before any other duty shows the same spirit as the man who surrenders every read more

The man who prefers his country before any other duty shows the same spirit as the man who surrenders every right to the state. They both deny that right is superior to authority.

The most certain test by which we judge whether a country is really free is the amount of security enjoyed read more

The most certain test by which we judge whether a country is really free is the amount of security enjoyed by minorities.

Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.

Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.

Property is not the sacred right. When a rich man becomes poor it is a misfortune, it is not a read more

Property is not the sacred right. When a rich man becomes poor it is a misfortune, it is not a moral evil. When a poor man becomes destitute, it is a moral evil, teeming with consequences and injurious to society and morality.

Every thing secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear read more

Every thing secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity.