By liberty I mean the assurance that every man shall be protected in doing what he believes his duty against the influence of authority and majoritie… - John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton
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By liberty I mean the assurance that every man shall be protected in doing what he believes his duty against the influence of authority and majorities, custom and opinion.
John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, 1st Baron Acton (10 January 1834 – 19 June 1902) was an English Catholic historian, commonly known as Lord Acton.
Portrait adapted from
Wikimedia Commons, Allen & Co. (Public domain / CC0)
Also Known As
Pen Names:
Lord Acton
Alternative Names:
John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton
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Sir John Dalberg-Acton, 8th Baronet
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John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton
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John Dalberg-Acton
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John Acton
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Sir John Dalberg-Acton
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"Magistrate of History"
Additional quotes by John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton
Democracy is government of the strongest, just as military despotism is. This is a bond of connection between the two. They are the brutal forms of government and as strength and authority go together, necessarily arbitrarily.
The lesson of modern history—that Religions enjoy (are endowed with) the prerogative of perpetual youth while philosophies seldom outlast a generation.
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