Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?
There are so many quotes… it’s going to be hard to choose just one. Or, would I be allowed to choose a few, but from the same book? Even from the same chapter? There’s this wonderful, philosophical treatise that I read so many years ago: On Liberty by John Stuart Mill.
On the tyranny of public opinion
In this quote, Mill draws a powerful parallel between social pressure and political tyranny. He argues that it’s not just governments that can oppress. Public opinion can be just as dangerous when it oversteps its bounds. In his view, protecting personal independence from the influence of the crowd is crucial. It is just as important as safeguarding it from dictators or unjust laws.
“There is a limit to the legitimate interference of collective opinion with individual independence: and to find that limit, and maintain it against encroachment, is as indispensable to a good condition of human affairs, as protection against political despotism.”
On Liberty by John Stuart Mill, page 12
On personal sovereignty
This iconic line sums up Mill’s core belief. Each person has ultimate authority over their own life. They control their choices, thoughts, and body. It’s a bold declaration of individual autonomy. It is also the foundation for his arguments against unnecessary interference by the state or society.
“Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.”
On Liberty by John Stuart Mill, page 16
On individual freedom
This quote captures the heart of Mill’s argument. People should be free to live their lives as they see fit, as long as they don’t harm others in the process.
“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.”
On Liberty by John Stuart Mill, page 18
On the value of dissent
Mill defends free speech passionately. He argues that even unpopular or wrong opinions have value. They challenge us to rethink and strengthen our own views.
“The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race… If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth.”
On Liberty by John Stuart Mill, page 21
On Liberty
On Liberty is a classic work that explores why individual freedom is so important in a healthy society. Mill argues that people should be allowed to think, speak, and live however they choose. This freedom is acceptable as long as they’re not causing harm to others. He warns about the dangers of “the tyranny of the majority.” Public opinion can pressure everyone to think and act the same way. Instead, he celebrates diversity, free speech, and the right to be different. He argues that these things help society grow and improve. Even though it was written in the 1800s, a lot of what Mill says still feels surprisingly relevant today.
These views are now more important than ever. Everyone is different, has its own opinion, and a right to defend it. Governments and society—and more recently even AI algorithms—are trying to dictate how we should think. Let’s remember, it’s crucial to defend our liberty.
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