Great men are almost always bad men.
Lord ActonRead
Moral precepts are constant through the ages and not obedient to circumstances.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Moral principles remain unchanged over time and are not influenced by circumstances.
This quote by Lord Acton emphasizes the idea that true moral values are universal and timeless, asserting that ethics should not be swayed by specific situations or contextual pressures. Instead, moral precepts stand as consistent guidelines for behavior, regardless of changing societal norms or circumstances, highlighting the importance of steadfastness in oneβs ethical beliefs.
Themes
MoralityPrinciplesEthicsConstancyTimelessness
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about ethical decision-making during a seminar.
More from Lord Acton
All quotes βSave for the wild force of Nature, nothing moves in this world that is not Greek in its origin.
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Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
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Liberty and good government do not exclude each other; and there are excellent reasons why they should go together. Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end.
Lord ActonRead
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end...liberty is the only object which benefits all alike, and provokes no sincere opposition...The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. ~ Every class is unfit to govern ... Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.
Lord ActonRead
Limitation is essential to authority. A government is legitimate only if it is effectively limited.
Lord ActonRead
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