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.
John Acton
choice fate tradition principles people government power
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.
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
You must log in to post a comment.
There are no comments yet.