"Liberty, next to religion has been the motive
of good deeds and the common pretext of crime..."
by:
Lord Acton
[John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton] (1834-1902), First Baron Acton of Aldenham
Source:
Lord Acton, in The History of Freedom in Antiquity (1877)
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Reader comments about this quote:
 -- Anonymous, Reston, VA, US      
More people have been killed in the name of religion than any other cause. Muslims are still at it and yell "praise Allah" when slicing off someones head.
 -- jim k, Austin,Tx     
    		•  
    A great political mind - where are these thinkers of the past, we need them back. Jim, yes, but why no stars? you are agreeing with Acton...
     -- RBESRQ     
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    Very true. Socialism has become the new religion ever promising 'Liberty, Equality, Unity' as an end rather than a means. The means of socialism is Control, Plunder, and War between the classes and other nations -- the true end of socialism is totalitarianism whether imperialist, fascist or communist. Like most religions, socialism's promises of a future paradise are without substance and are in fact downright lies.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Anyone who equates socialism with the wars and the pillaging of working people in this country by corporations needs to read an encyclopedia. I suggest looking up fascism. One will find a comprehensive description of current U. S. policy.
     -- dick, Fort Worth     
    		•  
    I suggest reading the history of the rise and fall of communism in Russia -- talk about pillaging the working people! Hitler's socialist platform led him to dictatorship. Dick ignores that corporatism is empowered by a central bank and a fiat currency allowing for the unlimited 'borrowing' of money simply created out of nothing in the first place. We all use corporate script (i.e. promissory notes) issued by the granddaddy corporation of them all, the Federal Reserve. You want an end to corporatism? Get rid of the Fed and all the laws that force the rest of us to accept their Monopoly money. Once a nation trades liberty/responsibility for socialism, any number of possible despotisms can follow. Socialism is an ideology that worships Power and ever endeavors to take it from the people and centralize it into a few hands. Wake up, dick.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    This is mostly a truism without true consideration of all of the ramifications. While the thought when first uttered is brilliant, the repitition is tedious and the speaker's motives must be carefully examined and understood. Recently, I have been slogging through "The Creature From Jekyll Island." Some of it is informative, some down right scary, and some questionable. I'm reserving judgement until I finish it. I mention it simply because it exposes a situation that is as troubling as Acton's quote if not more so. Is anybody else out there reading it, and, if so, what are your takes?
     -- J. B. Wulff, Bristol, CT     
    		•  
     -- Ronw13, Oregon      
     
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