The science of politics is the one science that is deposited by the streams of history, like the grains of gold in the sand of a river; and the knowledge of the past, the record of truths revealed by experience, is eminently practical, as an instrument of action and a power that goes to making the future.
John Acton
The fate of every democracy, of every government based on the sovereignty of the people, depends on the choices it makes between these opposite principles, absolute power on the one hand, and on the other the restraints of legality and the authority of tradition.
choice fate tradition principles people government power
The issue which has swept down the centuries and which will have to be fought sooner or later is the people versus the banks.
people
To be able to look back upon one's past life with satisfaction is to live twice.
life
I'm not a driven businessman, but a driven artist. I never think about money. Beautiful things make money.
money
Truth is the only merit that gives dignity and worth to history.
worth merit truth history
politics power truth action history science experience
Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
power
And remember, where you have a concentration of power in a few hands, all too frequently men with the mentality of gangsters get control. History has proven that.
men power history
Liberty is not the power of doing what we like, but the right to do what we ought.
rights liberty power
Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
It is bad to be oppressed by a minority, but it is worse to be oppressed by a majority. For there is a reserve of latent power in the masses which, if it is called into play, the minority can seldom resist.
minority majority power
Machiavelli's teaching would hardly have stood the test of Parliamentary government, for public discussion demands at least the profession of good faith.
tests government faith the-public
Save for the wild force of Nature, nothing moves in this world that is not Greek in its origin.
force nature
Liberty is the condition of duty, the guardian of conscience. It grows as conscience grows. The domains of both grow together. Liberty is safety from all hindrances, even sin. So that Liberty ends by being Free Will.
liberty duty conscience theend
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.
liberty theend
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