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.

Quote by John Stuart Mill

Topics: John Stuart Mill Quotes

The general tendency of things throughout the world is to render mediocrity the ascendant power...

The general tendency of things throughout the world is to render mediocrity the ascendant power...

Pleasure and freedom from pain, are the only things desirable as ends.

Pleasure and freedom from pain, are the only things desirable as ends.

The liberty of the individual must be thus far limited; he must not make himself...

The liberty of the individual must be thus far limited; he must not make himself...

Originality is the one thing which unoriginal minds cannot feel the use of.

Originality is the one thing which unoriginal minds cannot feel the use of.

The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good, in...

The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good, in...

All desirable things... are desirable either for the pleasure inherent in themselves, or as a...

All desirable things... are desirable either for the pleasure inherent in themselves, or as a...

The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a...

The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a...

Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that...

Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that...

It is as certain that many opinions, now general, will be rejected by future ages,...

It is as certain that many opinions, now general, will be rejected by future ages,...

All political revolutions, not affected by foreign conquest, originate in moral revolutions. The subversion of...

All political revolutions, not affected by foreign conquest, originate in moral revolutions. The subversion of...

The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is...

The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is...

I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than in attempting...

I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than in attempting...

In this age, the man who dares to think for himself and to act independently...

In this age, the man who dares to think for himself and to act independently...

The despotism of custom is everywhere the standing hindrance to human advancement.

The despotism of custom is everywhere the standing hindrance to human advancement.

Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend...

Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend...

As for charity, it is a matter in which the immediate effect on the persons...

As for charity, it is a matter in which the immediate effect on the persons...

That so few now dare to be eccentric, marks the chief danger of the time.

That so few now dare to be eccentric, marks the chief danger of the time.

There are many truths of which the full meaning cannot be realized until personal experience...

There are many truths of which the full meaning cannot be realized until personal experience...

I am not aware that any community has a right to force another to be...

I am not aware that any community has a right to force another to be...

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that.

He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that.