Those only are happy who have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness: on the happiness of others, on the improvement of mankind, even on some art or pursuit followed not as a means, but as itself an ideal end. Aiming at something else, they find happiness by the way. - John Stuart Mill
That which seems the height of absurdity in one generation often becomes the height of wisdom in the next. - John Stuart Mill
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
Whatever crushes individuality is despotism, by whatever name it may be called. - John Stuart Mill
There are many truths by which the full meaning cannot be realized until personal experience has brought it home. - John Stuart Mill
Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives. - John Stuart Mill
I believe in spectacles, but I think eyes necessary too. - John Stuart Mill
The idea that truth always triumphs over persecution is one of those pleasant falsehoods, which most experience refutes. History is teeming with instances of truth put down by persecution. If not put down forever, it may be set back for centuries. - John Stuart Mill
One person with a belief is equal to a force of 99 who have only interests. - 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
Command and obedience are but unfortunate necessities of human life: society in equality is its normal state. - John Stuart Mill
He who let's the world, or his own portion of it, choose his plan of life for him, has no need of any other faculty than the ape-like one of imitation - John Stuart Mill
Indeed the dictum that truth always triumphs over persecution, is one of those pleasant falsehoods which men repeat after one another till they pass into common places, but which all experience refutes. - John Stuart Mill
Human nature is not a machine to be built after a model, and set to do exactly the work prescribed for it, but a tree, which requires to grow and develop itself on all sides, according to the tendency of the inward forces which make it a living thing. - 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
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. - John Stuart Mill
religion, the most powerful of the elements which have entered into the formation of moral feeling, having almost always been governed either by the ambition of a hierarchy, seeking control over every department of human conduct, or by the spirit of Puritanism. - John Stuart Mill
The liberty of the individual must be thus far limited, he must not make himself a nuisance to other people. - John Stuart Mill
Over one's mind and over one's body the individual is sovereign. - John Stuart Mill
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. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. - John Stuart Mill
We can never be sure that the opinion we are endeavoring to stifle is a false opinion; and if we were sure, stifling it would be an evil still. - John Stuart Mill
One person with a belief is worth 99 people who have only interests. - John Stuart Mill
Language is the light of the mind. - John Stuart Mill
Ask yourself whether you are happy and you cease to be so. - John Stuart Mill
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. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant. - John Stuart Mill
Everyone who receives the protection of society owes a return for the benefit. - John Stuart Mill
Next to selfishness the principal cause which makes life unsatisfactory is want of mental cultivation. - John Stuart Mill
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
Have intercourse with females, acquire wealth. - John Stuart Mill
So much barbarism, however, still remains in the transactions of most civilized nations, that almost all independent countries choose to assert their nationality by having, to their inconvenience and that of their neighbors, a peculiar currency of their own. - John Stuart Mill
A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury. - John Stuart Mill