"The science of politics is the one science that is deposited by the streams of history, like the grains of gold in the sand of a river; and the knowledge of the past, the record of truths revealed by experience, is eminently practical, as an instrument of action and a power that goes to making the future"

This quote by Lord Acton speaks with the importance of understanding the past in order to form the future. He likens the science of politics to grains of gold in the sand of a river, recommending that it is something that is continuously being deposited by the streams of history. He highlights that the knowledge of the past, which is exposed by experience, is useful and can be used as an instrument of action. Simply put, by gaining from the past, we can use this understanding to shape the future. This quote highlights the value of understanding the past in order to make educated choices about the future.