Every thing secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity.


Letter (23 January 1861), published in Lord Acton and his Circle (1906) by Abbot Gasquet, Letter 74

John Dalberg-Acton Quotes

Every thing secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity.

Every thing secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity.

Every thing secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity.

Every thing secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity.