John Stuart Mill

"Christian morality (so called) has all the characters of a reaction; it is, in great part, a protest against Paganism. Its ideal is negative rather than positive; passive rather than action; innocence rather than Nobleness; Abstinence from Evil, rather than energetic Pursuit of Good: in its precepts (as has been well said) "thou shalt not" predominates unduly over "thou shalt."

7 likes

Source: On Liberty. Philosophical work by John Stuart Mill (ch. II: Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion), 1859.

About the author

John Stuart Mill

John Stuart Mill

Philosopher, Political Economist

John Stuart Mill was a British philosopher and political economist known for his contributions to liberal thought and his work 'On Liberty'.

All quotes by John Stuart Mill →

Same author

More quotes by John Stuart Mill

See all →
John Stuart Mill Philosopher, Political Economist

"If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind."

Read quote
John Stuart Mill Philosopher, Political Economist

"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."

Read quote
John Stuart Mill Philosopher, Political Economist

"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. Each is the proper guardian of his own health, whether bodily, or mental or spiritual. Mankind are greater gainers by suffering each other to live as seems good to themselves, than by compelling each to live as seems good to the rest."

Read quote
John Stuart Mill Philosopher, Political Economist

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse."

Read quote
John Stuart Mill Philosopher, Political Economist

"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."

Read quote