While commenting earlier today on the news of a scandal in Ukraine’s energy and political sectors, I was reminded of an old axiom on the subject of corruption, and went searching for the original source. It turned out to be a man with an impressive string of names and titles: one John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, First Baron Acton, 13th Marquess of Groppoli.

Lord Acton, as he is more familiarly known, was an English Catholic historian, Liberal politician and writer, best known for his advocacy in favor of individual liberty and his observations on the dangers of concentrated authority.

In an 1887 letter to an Anglican bishop on the subject of the threat to human freedom posed by unchecked power, he wrote:

“Power tends to corrupt, and
absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Lord Acton’s writings frequently emphasized the importance of limiting governmental and institutional power in favor of individual rights and personal liberty. [Wikipedia biography.]

And I couldn’t think of a more apropos quote today in light of recent developments, in Ukraine and elsewhere.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
11/13/25