Quotes Library

October 31, 2025

The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern.

Lord Acton (1834–1902), English historian, Letter to Mary Gladstone, in The Cynic’s Lexicon, Jonathon Green, ed. (London: 1986), p.1

From what class do you derive? What is the particular unfitness of your class? How can you make up for that lack?

Of course, every class alone is unfit to govern, but that’s why we need all classes in government.


More Quotes

September 2, 2025
01:02
There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all
December 7, 2025
What the crowd requires is mediocrity of the highest order.
April 13, 2025
00:34
Gratitude is not a normal feature of political life.
Page 79 of 124