The real or supposed rights of man are of two kinds, active and passive; the right in certain cases to do as we list; and the right we possess to the forbearance or assistance of other men.

Quote by William Godwin

Topics: William Godwin Quotes

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.

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...

Everything understood by the term co-operation is in some sense an evil.

Everything understood by the term co-operation is in some sense an evil.

There can be no passion, and by consequence no love, where there is not imagination.

There can be no passion, and by consequence no love, where there is not imagination.

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

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

But the watchful care of the parent is endless. The youth is never free from...

But the watchful care of the parent is endless. The youth is never free from...

He has no right to his life when his duty calls him to resign it....

He has no right to his life when his duty calls him to resign it....

One of the prerogatives by which man is eminently distinguished from all other living beings...

One of the prerogatives by which man is eminently distinguished from all other living beings...

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...

To him it is an ocean, unfathomable, and without a shore.

To him it is an ocean, unfathomable, and without a shore.

They held it their duty to live but for their country.

They held it their duty to live but for their country.

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...

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...

Make men wise, and by that very operation you make them free. Civil liberty follows...

Make men wise, and by that very operation you make them free. Civil liberty follows...

Perseverance is an active principle, and cannot continue to operate but under the influence of...

Perseverance is an active principle, and cannot continue to operate but under the influence of...

God himself has no right to be a tyrant.

God himself has no right to be a tyrant.

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...

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...

There must be room for the imagination to exercise its powers; we must conceive and...

There must be room for the imagination to exercise its powers; we must conceive and...

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.