If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind. John Stuart Mill on power
The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant. John Stuart Mill on power
The general tendency of things throughout the world is to render mediocrity the ascendant power among mankind. John Stuart Mill on power
The only power deserving the name is that of masses, and of governments while they make themselves the organ of the tendencies and instincts of masses. John Stuart Mill on power
The most cogent reason for restricting the interference of government is the great evil of adding unnecessarily to its power. John Stuart Mill on power
The duty of man is the same in respect to his own nature as in respect to the nature of all other things, namely not to follow it but to amend it. John Stuart Mill on respect
Eccentricity has always abounded when and where strength of character had abounded and the amount of eccentricity in a society has generally been proportional to the amount of genius, mental vigor, and courage which it contained. John Stuart Mill on society
The amount of eccentricity in a society has generally been proportional to the amount of genius, mental vigor, and moral courage it contained. That so few now dare to be eccentric marks the chief danger of the time. John Stuart Mill on society
The individual is not accountable to society for his actions in so far as these concern the interests of no person but himself. John Stuart Mill on society
The only part of the conduct of any one, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign. John Stuart Mill on society
Eccentricity has always abounded when and where strength of character had abounded and the amount of eccentricity in a society has generally been proportional to the amount of genius, mental vigor, and courage which it contained. John Stuart Mill on strength
It is questionable if all the mechanical inventions yet made have lightened the day's toil of any human being. John Stuart Mill on technology
The dictum that truth always triumphs over persecution is one of the pleasant falsehoods which men repeat after one another till they pass into commonplaces, but which all experience refutes. John Stuart Mill on truth
Popular opinions, on subjects not palpable to sense, are often true, but seldom or never the whole truth. John Stuart Mill on truth
War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. John Stuart Mill on war
As for charity, it is a matter in which the immediate effect on the persons directly concerned, and the ultimate consequence to the general good, are apt to be at complete war with one another. John Stuart Mill on war
A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury. John Stuart Mill on evil
The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good, in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it. John Stuart Mill on freedom
I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than in attempting to satisfy them. John Stuart Mill on happiness
A man and still more the woman, who can be accused either of doing 'what nobody does,' or of not doing 'what everybody does,' is...in peril of a commission de lunatico. John Stuart Mill on individuality