On LibertyFrom the Introduction In his Autobiography, Mill predicts that the essay On Liberty is "likely to survive longer than anything else that I have written." He goes on to say that the essay is the expression of a "single truth: " "the importance, to man and society, of a large variety of types of character, and of giving full freedom to human nature to expand itself in innumerable and conflicting directions." In the essay itself, Mill defines his subject as "the nature and limits of the power which can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual." He defends the absolute freedom of individuals to engage in conduct not harmful to others, and the near-absolute freedom to express and discuss opinions of all kinds. Mill's essay survives, as he had predicted, because his powerful message is still widely rejected by the powerful, and by those who continue to seek power over the lives of others. |
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Page 8
... rulers . The rulers were conceived ( except in some of the popular governments of Greece ) as in a necessarily antagonistic po- sition to the people whom they ruled . They consisted of a governing One , or a governing tribe or caste ...
... rulers . The rulers were conceived ( except in some of the popular governments of Greece ) as in a necessarily antagonistic po- sition to the people whom they ruled . They consisted of a governing One , or a governing tribe or caste ...
Page 9
... ruler should be suffered to exercise over the community ; and this limitation was what they meant by liberty It was attempted in two ways . First , by obtaining a recognition of certain immunities , called political liberties or rights ...
... ruler should be suffered to exercise over the community ; and this limitation was what they meant by liberty It was attempted in two ways . First , by obtaining a recognition of certain immunities , called political liberties or rights ...
Page 10
... rulers . of rulers . As the struggle proceeded for making the ruling power emanate from the periodical choice of the ruled , some persons began to think that too much importance had been attached to the limitation of the power itself ...
... rulers . of rulers . As the struggle proceeded for making the ruling power emanate from the periodical choice of the ruled , some persons began to think that too much importance had been attached to the limitation of the power itself ...
Page 11
... rulers be effectually responsible to it , promptly removable by it , and it could afford to trust ' them with power of which it could itself dic- tate the use to be made . Their power was but the nation's own power , concentrated , and ...
... rulers be effectually responsible to it , promptly removable by it , and it could afford to trust ' them with power of which it could itself dic- tate the use to be made . Their power was but the nation's own power , concentrated , and ...
Page 24
... ruler full of the spirit of improve- ment is warranted in the use of any expedients that will attain an end , perhaps otherwise un- attainable . Despotism is a legitimate mode of government in dealing with barbarians , pro- vided the ...
... ruler full of the spirit of improve- ment is warranted in the use of any expedients that will attain an end , perhaps otherwise un- attainable . Despotism is a legitimate mode of government in dealing with barbarians , pro- vided the ...
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able admit affect argument asserted believe better Calvinistic cerns character Christian compelled concerns conduct considered contrary creed custom defending desire despotism discussion dition doctrine duct duty enforced eral error ethics evil example exer exercise exist experience faculties feelings freedom grounds heretics human impulses individual infallibility intel intellect interests interference John Knox judgment justify legitimate liberty limit mankind Marcus Aurelius means ment mental mind mode moral nature necessary never object offence opin Parsees party penalties persecution persons political Poor Law Board practical prevent principle profess punishment question quired reason received opinion religion religious require restraint rule rulers self-regarding sentiments side sion social social rights social stigma society Socrates supposed things thought tion tivation toleration trines true truth tween Tyrannicide tyranny unless vidual whole Wilhelm von Humboldt wrong
Popular passages
Page 23 - ... 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 a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because in the opinions of others to do so would be wise or even right.
Page 35 - If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary 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.
Page 28 - Secondly, the principle requires liberty of tastes and pursuits ; of framing the plan of our life to suit our own character ; of doing as we like, subject to such consequences as may follow : without impediment from our fellow-creatures, so long as what we do does not harm them, even though. they should think our conduct foolish, perverse, or wrong.
Page 222 - ... a State which dwarfs its men, in order that they may be more docile instruments in its hands even for beneficial purposes— will find...
Page 13 - ... desire to oppress a part of their number; and precautions are as much needed against this as against any other abuse of power. The limitation, therefore, of the power of government over individuals loses none of its importance when the holders of power are regularly accountable to the community, that is, to the strongest party therein.
Page 41 - ... the source of everything respectable in man either as an intellectual or as a moral being, namely, that his errors are corrigible. He is capable of rectifying his mistakes by discussion and experience. Not by experience alone. There must be discussion to show how experience is to be interpreted. Wrong opinions and practices gradually yield to fact and argument; but facts and arguments, to produce any effect on the mind, must be brought before it. Very few facts are able to tell their own story...
Page 27 - But there is a sphere of action in which society, as distinguished from the individual, has, if any, only an indirect interest; comprehending all that portion of a person's life and conduct which affects only himself, or, if it also affects others, only with their free, voluntary, and undeceived consent and participation.
Page 121 - In proportion to the development of his individuality, each person becomes more valuable to himself, and is therefore capable of being more valuable to others.
Page 102 - Thirdly, even if the received opinion be not only true, but the whole truth; unless it is suffered to be, and actually is, vigorously and earnestly contested, it will, by most of those who receive it, be held in the manner of a prejudice, with little comprehension or feeling of its rational grounds.
Page 22 - The object of this Essay is to assert one very simple principle, as entitled to govern absolutely the dealings of society with the individual in the way of compulsion and control, whether the means used be physical force in the form of legal penalties, or the moral coercion of public opinion.