Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. It is not for the sake of a good public administration that it is required, but for the security in the pursuit of the highest objects of civil society, and of private life.

Fanaticism in religion is the alliance of the passions she condemns with the dogmas she professes.

The few have not strength to achieve great changes unaided; the many have not wisdom to be moved by truth unmixed.

Many men can no more be kept straight by spiritual motives than we can live without policemen.

By liberty I mean the assurance that every man shall be protected in doing what he believes to be his duty against the influences of authority and majorities, custom and opinion.

It is bad to be oppressed by a minority, but it is worse to be oppressed by a majority.

We are not sure we are right until we have made the best case possible for those who are wrong.