The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error.

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.

To do as one would be done by, and to love one's neighbour as oneself, constitute the ideal perfection of utilitarian morality

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.

The perpetual obstacle to human advancement is custom.

The worth of the state, in the long run, is the worth of the individuals composing it.

I am not aware that any community has a right to force another to be civilized.