On Liberty, Issue 57From 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 3
... examples of the magical influence of custom , which is not only , as the proverb says , a second nature , but is continually mistaken for the first . The effect of custom , in preventing any misgiving respecting the rules of con- duct ...
... examples of the magical influence of custom , which is not only , as the proverb says , a second nature , but is continually mistaken for the first . The effect of custom , in preventing any misgiving respecting the rules of con- duct ...
Page 10
... examples of the error to which they acknowledge them- selves to be liable . Absolute princes , or others who are accustomed to unli- mited deference , usually feel this com- plete confidence in their own opinions on nearly all subjects ...
... examples of the error to which they acknowledge them- selves to be liable . Absolute princes , or others who are accustomed to unli- mited deference , usually feel this com- plete confidence in their own opinions on nearly all subjects ...
Page 15
... example , the most striking of all , if the impressive- ness of an error is measured by the wisdom and virtue of him who falls into it . If ever any one , possessed of power , had grounds for thinking him- self the best and most ...
... example , the most striking of all , if the impressive- ness of an error is measured by the wisdom and virtue of him who falls into it . If ever any one , possessed of power , had grounds for thinking him- self the best and most ...
Page 32
... example , if it were necessary to choose , there would be much more need to discourage offensive attacks on infidelity than on religion . It is , however , obvious that law and authority have no business with re- straining either ...
... example , if it were necessary to choose , there would be much more need to discourage offensive attacks on infidelity than on religion . It is , however , obvious that law and authority have no business with re- straining either ...
Page 37
... example of more enlightened conduct , and better taste and sense in human life . This cannot well be gainsaid by anybody who does not believe that the world has already attained perfection in all its ways and practices . It is true that ...
... example of more enlightened conduct , and better taste and sense in human life . This cannot well be gainsaid by anybody who does not believe that the world has already attained perfection in all its ways and practices . It is true that ...
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Common terms and phrases
admit Archbishop of Dublin argument asserted Author believe better CATHERINE WINKWORTH character Christian Church Coll concerns conduct cracy creed custom desire despotism Dictionary discussion doctrine duty Edinburgh Review ENCYCLOPÆDIA England English Essays evil exercise exist experience faculties feelings Fourth Edition Fraser's Magazine freedom grounds History human Illustrations individual infallibility intellect interest interference judgment justify Lectures liberty LORD MACAULAY LUCY AIKIN LYRA mankind Maps MAUNDER'S means ment mental mind mode Monte Rosa moral nature object offence opinion persecution persons Philosophy Plates political Portrait Post 8vo practical present principle profess punishment question racter reason recognised religion religious require revised RICHARD WHATELY rulers rules Second Edition sentiments sion social society Square crown 8vo tain things Third Edition thought tion toleration true truth University of Oxford unless vidual vols Wilhelm von Humboldt Woodcuts wrong
Popular passages
Page 8 - The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it.
Page 18 - LIBRARY EDITION, with all the Original Illustrations, Maps, Landscapes on Steel, Woodcuts, &c. 2 vols. 4to. 48s. INTERMEDIATE EDITION, with a Selection of Maps, Plates, and Woodcuts. 2 vols. square crown 8vo. 21s. STUDENT'S EDITION, revised and condensed, with 46 Illustrations and Maps.
Page 6 - That 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.
Page 17 - Catechism of the Steam Engine, in its various Applications to Mines, Mills, Steam Navigation, Railways, and Agriculture. By the same Author. With 89 Woodcuts. Fcp. 6s. Handbook of the Steam Engine.
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Page 28 - Hints to Mothers on the Management of their Health during the Period of Pregnancy and in the Lying-in Room. By T. BULL, MD Fcp. 5,.
Page 6 - These are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning with him, or persuading him, or entreating him, but not for compelling him, or visiting him with any evil in case he do otherwise.
Page 37 - If acquiesced in, it dulls and blunts the whole nature. To give any fair play to the nature of each, it is essential that different persons should be allowed to lead different lives. In proportion as this latitude has been exercised in any age, has that age been noteworthy to posterity. Even despotism does not produce its worst effects, so long as individuality exists under it ; and whatever crushes individuality is despotism, by whatever name it may be called, and whether it professes to be enforcing...
Page 6 - It is, perhaps, hardly necessary to say that this doctrine is meant to apply only to human beings in the maturity of their faculties. We are not speaking of children, or of young persons below the age which the law may fix as that of manhood or womanhood.
Page 7 - ... so long as what we do does not harm them, even though they should think our conduct foolish, perverse, or wrong. Thirdly, from this liberty of each individual, follows the liberty, within the same limits, of combination among individuals; freedom to unite, for any purpose not involving harm to others: the persons combining being supposed to be of full age, and not forced or deceived.