The subtleties of mathematics defecate the grossness of our apprehension, and supply the elements of a sounder and severer logic. William Godwin More Quotes by William Godwin More Quotes From William Godwin If there be such a thing as truth, it must infallibly be struck out by the collision of mind with mind. William Godwin collisionifsmind Power is not happiness. Security and peace are more to be desired than a name at which nations tremble. William Godwin nationspowermen Duty is that mode of action on the part of the individual which constitutes the best possible application of his capacity to the general benefit. William Godwin individualbenefitsaction The proper method for hastening the decay of error is by teaching every man to think for himself. William Godwin teachingmenthinking No man must encroach upon my province, nor I upon his. He may advise me, moderately and without pertinaciousness, but he must not expect to dictate to me. He may censure me freely and without reserve; but he should remember that I am to act by my deliberation and not his. I ought to exercise my talents for the benefit of others; but that exercise must be the fruit of my own conviction; no man must attempt to press me into the service. William Godwin atheismexercisemen If admiration were not generally deemed the exclusive property of the rich, and contempt the constant lackey of poverty, the love of gain would cease to be an universal problem. William Godwin admirationpovertygains Justice is the sum of all moral duty. William Godwin moraldutyjustice We cannot perform our tasks to the best of our power, unless we think well of our own capacity. William Godwin taskscapacitythinking The most desirable mode of education, is that which is careful that all the acquisitions of the pupil shall be preceded and accompanied by desire . . . The boy, like the man, studies because he desires it. He proceeds upon a plan of is own invention, or by which, by adopting, he has made his own. Everything bespeaks independence and inequality. William Godwin independencemenboys Revolution is engendered by an indignation with tyranny, yet is itself pregnant with tyranny.... An attempt to scrutinize men's thoughts and punish their opinions is of all kinds of despotism the most odious: yet this is peculiarly character of a period of revolution.... There is no period more at war with the existence of liberty. William Godwin charactermenwar Man is the only creature we know, that, when the term of his natural life is ended, leaves the memory of himself behind him. William Godwin life-ismenmemories Learning is the ally, not the adversary of genius... he who reads in a proper spirit, can scarcely read too much. William Godwin alliestoo-muchgenius Government can have no more than two legitimate purposes - the suppression of injustice against individuals within the community, and the common defense against external invasion. William Godwin communitygovernmenttwo It is absurd to expect the inclinations and wishes of two human beings to coincide, through any long period of time. To oblige them to act and live together is to subject them to some inevitable potion of thwarting, bickering, and unhappiness. William Godwin wishtwolong By right, as the word is employed in this subject, has always been understood discretion, that is, a full and complete power of either doing a thing or omitting it, without the person's becoming liable to animadversion or censure from another, that is, in other words, without his incurring any degree of turpitude or guilt. Now in this sense I affirm that man has no rights, no discretionary power whatever. William Godwin guiltrightsmen Perfectibility is one of the most unequivocal characteristics of the human species. William Godwin unequivocalcharacteristicshumans The diligent scholar is he that loves himself, and desires to have reason to applaud and love himself. William Godwin and-lovereasondesire Self-respect to be nourished in the mind of the pupil, is one of the most valuable results of a well conducted education. William Godwin statisticsselfmind Perseverance is an active principle, and cannot continue to operate but under the influence of desire. William Godwin encouragingperseverancedesire The virtue of a human being is the application of his capacity to the general good. William Godwin applicationvirtuecapacity
