The worship of the state is the worship of force. There is no more dangerous menace to civilization than a government of incompetent, corrupt, or vile men. The worst evils which mankind ever had to endure were inï¬â€šicted by bad governments. The state can be and has often been in the course of history the main source of mischief and disaster. Ludwig Von Mises
About This Quote

In this quote, Lord Acton expresses his belief that the state can be a source of great harm as well as great good. The state can be a force for good, but it can also be a corrupt and manipulative force. The state is not something that should replace the family or be considered a god.

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