The only part of the conduct of any one, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.

John Stuart Mill

More Quotes by John Stuart Mill
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More Quotes From John Stuart Mill
To understand one woman is not necessarily to understand any othe... by John Stuart Mill

To understand one woman is not necessarily to understand any other woman.

John Stuart Mill
one-woman understanding

What citizens of a free country would listen to any offers of good and skillful administration in return for the abdication of freedom?

John Stuart Mill
citizens liberty country
The most important thing women have to do is to stir up the zeal... by John Stuart Mill

The most important thing women have to do is to stir up the zeal of women themselves.

John Stuart Mill
zeal feminism important
Is there any moral enormity which might not be justified by imita... by John Stuart Mill

Is there any moral enormity which might not be justified by imitation of such a Deity?

John Stuart Mill
deities might religion
God is a word to express, not our ideas, but the want of them. by John Stuart Mill

God is a word to express, not our ideas, but the want of them.

John Stuart Mill
atheist ideas religion

So true is that unnatural generally means only uncustomary, and that everything which is usual appears natural.

John Stuart Mill
usual natural mean

The laws and conditions of the production of wealth partake of the character of physical truths. There is nothing optional or arbitrary in them ... It is not so with the Distribution of Wealth. That is a matter of human institution solely. The things once there, mankind, individually or collectively, can do with them as they like.

John Stuart Mill
truth character science

Whether moral and social phenomena are really exceptions to the general certainty and uniformity of the course of nature; and how far the methods, by which so many of the laws of the physical world have been numbered among truths irrevocably acquired and universally assented to, can be made instrumental to the gradual formation of a similar body of received doctrine in moral and political science.

John Stuart Mill
nature law science
Both teachers and learners go to sleep at their post as soon as t... by John Stuart Mill

Both teachers and learners go to sleep at their post as soon as there is no enemy in the field.

John Stuart Mill
sleep teacher enemy

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things: the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing worth a war, is worse. A war to protect other human beings against tyrannical injustice; a war to give victory to their own ideas of right and good, and which is their own war, carried on for an honest purpose by their own free choice - is often the means of their regeneration.

John Stuart Mill
patriotic war mean

Marriage is the only actual bondage known to our law. There remain no legal slaves, except the mistress of every house.

John Stuart Mill
marriage law house
Any participation, even in the smallest public function, is usefu... by John Stuart Mill

Any participation, even in the smallest public function, is useful.

John Stuart Mill
participation function government

Money is a machine for doing quickly and commodiously what would be done, though less quickly and commodiously, without it.

John Stuart Mill
machines done would-be
The peculiarity of the evidence of mathematical truths is that al... by John Stuart Mill

The peculiarity of the evidence of mathematical truths is that all the argument is on one side.

John Stuart Mill
argument truth-is sides
Customs are made for customary circumstances, and customary chara... by John Stuart Mill

Customs are made for customary circumstances, and customary characters.

John Stuart Mill
circumstances made character

[I] put the question directly to myself: "Suppose that all your objects in life were realized; that all the changes in institutions and opinions which you are looking forward to, could be completely effected at this very instant: would this be a great joy and happiness to you?" And an irrepressible self-consciousness distinctly answered, "No!

John Stuart Mill
opinion self joy

The maxim is, that whatever can be affirmed (or denied) of a class, may be affirmed (or denied) of everything included in the class. This axiom, supposed to be the basis of the syllogistic theory, is termed by logicians the dictum de omni et nullo.

John Stuart Mill
nomenclature class science

The test of real and vigorous thinking, the thinking which ascertains truths instead of dreaming dreams, is successful application to practice.

John Stuart Mill
real successful dream
The habit of analysis has a tendency to wear away the feelings. by John Stuart Mill

The habit of analysis has a tendency to wear away the feelings.

John Stuart Mill
analysis math feelings
That so few now dare to be eccentric, marks the chief danger of t... by John Stuart Mill

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

John Stuart Mill
work success time