Lord Acton Quote with Comments

Lord Acton Quote

"It is bad to be oppressed by a minority,
but it is worse to be oppressed by a majority."

by:	Lord Acton [John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton] (1834-1902), First Baron Acton of Aldenham
Source:	The History of Freedom in Antiquity, 1877

Categories:	Democracy, Diversity, Equality, Freedom, Individual Rights, Liberty, Oppression, Security

Reader comments about this quote:

-- P.M.
-- Anonymous, reston, VA US
Huh?!?!? -- Anonymous
Come to Canada where we are oppressed by minorities, Like you cannot call a homosexual a 'queer' because 1.2 percent of the population have had a law passed which makes such a remark a "hate crime" and a punishable criminal offence! The next step is to legalize "same sex" marriages, followed by the burning of the Holy Bible and the banishment of the G-d Jehovah from our lives! -- Gordon D., Hamilton, Canada
It is perhaps more dismal to be an oppressed minority. At leased if you’re an oppressed majority you have more of a chance to correct the situation. -- warren, olathe
Its all about perspective, If you are right (Whether you know you are or not) it is bad to be oppressed by a minority and worse by a majority. -- JoW, Utah
Majorities definitely rule, but there is usually a heavy price paid by the minority. There is strength in numbers but a majority should never use it as a battering ram, such as the Christian "majority" in Salem Witch trials or the white racial majority enslaving blacks in America. -- Melissa, Cleveland, Ohio
There is no difference in the two except that more people may be content when the majority oppresses - so long as their consciences can be stilled. No man should revel in oppressing another whether he be joined by many or by few. -- JS, Houston, TX

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