Feudalism, serfdom, slavery — all tyrannical institutions, are merely the most vigorous kinds of rule, springing out of, and necessary to, a bad state of man. The progress from these is in all cases the same — less government.

Music must take rank as the highest of the fine arts - as the one which, more than any other, ministers to human welfare.

Religion has been compelled by science to give up one after another of its dogmas. . . .

Be bold, be bold, and everywhere be bold.

If men use their liberty in such a way as to surrender their liberty, are they thereafter any the less slaves? If people by a plebiscite elect a man despot over them, do they remain free because the despotism was of their own making?

The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.

When men hire themselves out to shoot other men to order, asking nothing about the justice of their cause, I don't care if they are shot themselves.