Experience has taught me that those who give their time to the absorbing claims of what is called society, not having leisure to keep up a large acquaintance with the organs of opinion, remain much more ignorant of the general state either of the public mind, or of the active and instructed part of it, than a recluse who reads the newspapers need be.

In this age, the man who dares to think for himself and to act independently does a service to his race.

Everyone who receives the protection of society owes a return for the benefit.

The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant.

He who lets the world choose his plan of life for him has need of no other faculty than that of ape-like imitation.

Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that most stupid people are conservative.

But these few are the salt of the earth; without them, human life would become a stagnant pool. Not only is it they who introduce good things which did not before exist, it is they who keep the life in those which already existed.