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Quote#Wisdom

Atrocious deeds were done, in which religious passion was often the…

Quote byJohn Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton · 1834–1902

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The History of Freedom in Christianity (1877).

English (original)

Atrocious deeds were done, in which religious passion was often the instrument, but policy was the motive. Fanaticism displays itself in the masses; but the masses were rarely fanaticised; and the crimes ascribed to it were commonly due to the calculations of dispassionate politicians.

— John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton

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