72 quotes
The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly, is to fill the world with fools.
Essays: Scientific, Political, and Speculative (1891)
Every man is free to do that which he wills, provided he infringes not the equal freedom of any other man.
The Principles of Ethics (1897)
All evil results from the non-adaptation of constitution to conditions. This is true of everything that lives.
Social Statics (1851)
The truth is, that those who have never entered upon scientific pursuits know not a tithe of the poetry by which they are surrounded.
Every man may claim the fullest liberty to exercise his faculties compatible with the possession of like liberties by every other man.
Social Statics (1851)
No one can be perfectly free till all are free; no one can be perfectly moral till all are moral; no one can be perfectly happy till all are happy.
Social Statics (1851)
The fact disclosed by a survey of the past that majorities have usually been wrong, must not blind us to the complementary fact that majorities have usually not been entirely wrong.
The saying that beauty is but skin deep is but a skin-deep saying.
Essays: Scientific, Political, and Speculative (1891)
Every pleasure raises the tide of life; every pain lowers the tide of life.
The Principles of Ethics (1897)
We too often forget that not only is there "a soul of goodness in things evil," but very generally also, a soul of truth in things erroneous.
As there must be moderation in other things, so there must be moderation in self-criticism.
The Principles of Ethics (1897)
Progress, therefore, is not an accident, but a necessity.
Social Statics (1851)
Education has for its object the formation of character.
Social Statics (1851)
With a higher moral nature will come a restriction on the multiplication of the inferior.
Principles of Biology (1864)
We have unmistakable proof that throughout all past time, there has been a ceaseless devouring of the weak by the strong.
Principles of Biology (1864)
Morality knows nothing of geographical boundaries, or distinctions of race.
Social Statics (1851)
The pursuit of individual happiness within those limits prescribed by social conditions, is the first requisite to the attainment of the greatest general happiness.
The Principles of Ethics (1897)
The current opinion that science and poetry are opposed is a delusion.
The universal basis of co-operation is the proportioning of benefits received to services rendered.
The Principles of Ethics (1897)
Originally, ethics has no existence apart from religion, which holds it in solution.
The Principles of Ethics (1897)