158 Quotes by Lord Acton

Many things are better for silence than for speech: others are better for speech than for stationery.

In England Parliament is above the law. In America the law is above Congress.

Be generous before you are just. Do not temper mercy with justice.

Every error pronounces judgment on itself when it attempts to apply its rules to the standard of truth.

Absolute power demoralizes.

A man can be trusted only up to low-water mark.

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.

A history that should pursue all the subtle threads from end to end might be eminently valuable, but not as a tribute to peace and conciliation.

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.