John Stuart Mill - Quodid

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Picture of John Stuart Mill

John Stuart Mill (20 May 1806 – 7 May 1873) was an English philosopher, political economist, and politician. He was a paradigmatic philosopher of liberalism and has been described as "the most influential English-speaking philosopher of the nineteenth century" by the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. He conceived of liberty as justifying the freedom of the individual in opposition to unlimited state and social control, and formulated the Harm principle. He also advocated proportional representation, the emancipation of women, and the development of labour organisations and farm cooperatives, and has been classified as both a classical liberal and social liberal.

Quotes from John Stuart Mill

If mankind minus one were of one opinion, then mankind is no more justified in silencing the one than the one - if he had the power - would be justified in silencing mankind.

—John Stuart Mill

opinion power silence censorship mankind dissent

I put the question directly to myself: "Suppose that all your objects in life were realized; that all the changes in institutions and opinions which you are looking forward to could be completely effected at this very instant: would this be a great joy and happiness to you?" And an irrepressible self-consciousness distinctly answered, "No!

—John Stuart Mill

change self happiness joy opinions self-consciousness

All good things which exist are the fruits of originality.

—John Stuart Mill

creation art originality

In this age, the mere example of nonconformity, the mere refusal to bend the knee to custom, is itself a service.

—John Stuart Mill

fitting in nonconformity

A person may cause evil to others not only by his action but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury.

—John Stuart Mill

Pain makes man think. Thought makes man wise. Wisdom makes life endurable.

—John Stuart Mill

One person with a belief is equal to a force of 99 who have only interests.

—John Stuart Mill

War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other's children.

—John Stuart Mill

But society has now fairly got the better of individuality; and the danger which threatens human nature is not the excess, but the deficiency, of personal impulses and preferences.

—John Stuart Mill

Ask yourself whether you are happy and you cease to be so.

—John Stuart Mill

happiness doubt

No great improvements in the lot of mankind are possible until a great change takes place in the fundamental constitution of their modes of thought.

—John Stuart Mill