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 124
... rendered by everybody alike : there are but few persons , in comparison with the whole of man- kind , whose experiments , if adopted by others , would be likely to be any improvement on ́established practice . But these few are the salt ...
... rendered by everybody alike : there are but few persons , in comparison with the whole of man- kind , whose experiments , if adopted by others , would be likely to be any improvement on ́established practice . But these few are the salt ...
Page 126
... render them , is that of opening their eyes : which being once fully done , they would have a chance of being them- selves original . Meanwhile , recollecting that nothing was ever yet done which some one was not the first to do , and ...
... render them , is that of opening their eyes : which being once fully done , they would have a chance of being them- selves original . Meanwhile , recollecting that nothing was ever yet done which some one was not the first to do , and ...
Page 127
... render me- diocrity the ascendant power among mankind . In ancient history , in the Middle Ages , and in a diminishing degree through the long transi- tion from feudality to the present time , the in- dividual was a power in himself ...
... render me- diocrity the ascendant power among mankind . In ancient history , in the Middle Ages , and in a diminishing degree through the long transi- tion from feudality to the present time , the in- dividual was a power in himself ...
Page 140
... render peo- ple unlike one another ; namely , freedom , and variety of situations . The second of these two conditions is in this country every day dimin- ishing . The circumstances which surround different classes and individuals , and ...
... render peo- ple unlike one another ; namely , freedom , and variety of situations . The second of these two conditions is in this country every day dimin- ishing . The circumstances which surround different classes and individuals , and ...
Page 144
... the benefit , and the fact of living in society renders it indispensable that each should be bound to observe a certain line of conduct tow- ards the rest . This conduct consists , first , 144 LIMITS TO THE AUTHORITY OF IV.
... the benefit , and the fact of living in society renders it indispensable that each should be bound to observe a certain line of conduct tow- ards the rest . This conduct consists , first , 144 LIMITS TO THE AUTHORITY OF IV.
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admit argument asserted authority believe better Calvinistic cerns character Christian compelled concerns conduct considered contrary creed custom defending desire despotism discussion dition doctrine duct duty effect enforced eral error ethics evil example exer exercise exist experience faculties feelings freedom grounds heretics human impulses individual infallibility intel intellect interests interference ious 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 rulers rules 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.