Lord Acton Quotes

Since the origin of the world there has never been a king—even if you were to select the very best—who did not in some measure abuse his authority…

If absolute power corrupts absolutely, does absolute powerlessness make you pure?

Unlimited power corrupts the possessor.

Anyone entrusted with power will abuse it if not also animated with the love of truth and virtue, no matter whether he be a prince, or one of the people.

We're taught Lord Acton's axiom: all power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. I believed that when I started these books, but I don't believe it's always true any more. Power doesn't always corrupt. Power can cleanse. What I believe is always true about power is that power always reveals.

Every one, more or less, loves Power, yet those who most wish for it are seldom the fittest to be trusted with it.

One thing I hope I'll never be is drunk with my own power. And anybody who says I am will never work in this town again.

Those who have more power are liable to sin more; no theorem in geometry is more certain than this.

... all of our human experience shows that no one with absolute power can be trusted to give it up even in part.

The ruler will be interrogated not only about his own unjust deeds but also about those of his staff

The whole Constitution has been erected upon the assumption that the King not only is capable of doing wrong but is more likely to do wrong than other men if he is given the chance.

The problem with Russia is not corruption per se, or even Putin per se. Russian government is not corrupt because Vladimir Putin has absolute power. Russian government has been corrupt and will always be as long as anyone has absolute power.

Power corrupts, and there is nothing more corrupting than power exercised in secret.

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Unlimited power is worse for the average person than unlimited alcohol; and the resulting intoxication is more damaging for others. Very few have not deteriorated when given absolute dominion. It is worse for the governor than for the governed.

Once you've built the big machinery of political power, remember you won't always be the one to run it.

Ethics and power are separate.

As a young man, you're dazzled by the power of the White House and all that. But power tends to corrupt.

Of course Trump thinks he is above the law. For his entire life, he has been able to say and do whatever he felt like saying or doing - not just without consequence, but he has been able to say or do whatever he felt like saying or doing - and rise up all the way to the position of President of the United States.

Having power and being in a position of power can really blur your judgement, and it's not always that clear.

Those who have the most power - whether famous TV anchors, rich Hollywood moguls, judges, Members of Congress, or the president of the United States - must decide how to exert that power: for corruption or for good.

People are calling on me to put corrupt people into prison. Where do you start?

The more power you have, the more surely it will be taken from you before you are ready to give it up.

Nothing's as dangerous as power with impunity.

God has power to create, or destroy, make, or unmake at his pleasure, to give life, or send death, to judge all, and to be judged nor accountable to none: to raise low things, and to make high things low at his pleasure, and to God are both soul and body due. And the like power have Kings; they make and unmake their subjects: they have power of raising, and casting down: of life, and of death: judges over all their subjects, and in all causes, and yet accountable to none but God only.