“There are two things which cannot be attacked in front: ignorance and narrow-mindedness.”

— John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton

Context: There are two things which cannot be attacked in front: ignorance and narrow-mindedness. They can only be shaken by the simple development of the contrary qualities. They will not bear discussion.

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

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John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton 112

British politician and historian 1834–1902

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