Above all we should not forget that government is an evil, a usurpation upon the private judgement and individual conscience of mankind.

Quote by William Godwin

Topics: William Godwin Quotes

Man is the only creature we know, that, when the term of his natural life...

Man is the only creature we know, that, when the term of his natural life...

If he who employs coercion against me could mould me to his purposes by argument,...

If he who employs coercion against me could mould me to his purposes by argument,...

The diligent scholar is he that loves himself, and desires to have reason to applaud...

The diligent scholar is he that loves himself, and desires to have reason to applaud...

We cannot perform our tasks to the best of our power, unless we think well...

We cannot perform our tasks to the best of our power, unless we think well...

He that loves reading has everything within his reach.

He that loves reading has everything within his reach.

The execution of any thing considerable implies in the first place previous persevering meditation.

The execution of any thing considerable implies in the first place previous persevering meditation.

Government will not fail to employ education, to strengthen its hands, and perpetuate its institutions.

Government will not fail to employ education, to strengthen its hands, and perpetuate its institutions.

Learning is the ally, not the adversary of genius... he who reads in a proper...

Learning is the ally, not the adversary of genius... he who reads in a proper...

Justice is the sum of all moral duty.

Justice is the sum of all moral duty.

Study with desire is real activity; without desire it is but the semblance and mockery...

Study with desire is real activity; without desire it is but the semblance and mockery...

The philosophy of the wisest man that ever existed, is mainly derived from the act...

The philosophy of the wisest man that ever existed, is mainly derived from the act...

The great model of the affection of love in human beings is the sentiment which...

The great model of the affection of love in human beings is the sentiment which...

Let us not, in the eagerness of our haste to educate, forget all the ends...

Let us not, in the eagerness of our haste to educate, forget all the ends...

In cases where every thing is understood, and measured, and reduced to rule, love is...

In cases where every thing is understood, and measured, and reduced to rule, love is...

Revolutions are the produce of passion, not of sober and tranquil reason.

Revolutions are the produce of passion, not of sober and tranquil reason.

If a thing be really good, it can be shown to be such.

If a thing be really good, it can be shown to be such.

The cause of justice is the cause of humanity. Its advocates should overflow with universal...

The cause of justice is the cause of humanity. Its advocates should overflow with universal...

The real or supposed rights of man are of two kinds, active and passive; the...

The real or supposed rights of man are of two kinds, active and passive; the...

As the true object of education is not to render the pupil the mere copy...

As the true object of education is not to render the pupil the mere copy...

Every man has a certain sphere of discretion which he has a right to expect...

Every man has a certain sphere of discretion which he has a right to expect...