The despotism of custom is everywhere the standing hindrance to human advancement.

All attempts by the State to bias the conclusions of its citizens on disputed subjects, are evil.

A state which dwarfs its men, in order that they may be more docile instruments in its hands even for beneficial purposes--will find that with small men no great thing can really be accomplished.

Men do not desire to be rich, but to be richer than other men.

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.

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

The English, of all ranks and classes, are at bottom, in all their feelings, aristocrats. They have some concept of liberty, and set some value on it, but the very idea of equality is strange and offensive to them. They do not dislike to have many people above them as long as they have some below them.