Quotes About Lord Acton

There is not a more perilous or immoral habit of mind than the sanctifying of success.

It is an almost precise inversion of Lord Acton's observation: the more power we have over our children, the more we are willing to sacrifice for them. Love transfigures power. Absolute love transfigures absolute power. And power transfigured by love is the power that made and saves the world.

I talk nonsense at times, because sense is monotonous.

The generation you consult will be more democratic and better instructed than our own; for the progress of democracy, though not constant, is certain, and the progress of knowledge is both constant and certain.

I am afraid you will forgive the length neither of my letter nor of my silence, and will be as much bored by the silver of the one as by the golden of the other.

It must be confessed, however, that sentiment is the charm, as it always is the affection of mediocrity, which, without it, would often be insufferable, and yet with it, is as often ridiculous.

I want to be vigilant not to resent, but to pursue the work of disarming resentment.

The finest opportunity ever given to the world was thrown away because the passion of equality made vain the hope for freedom.