Absence Quote by John Stuart Mill
“Actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure and the absence of pain.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Utilitarianism, John Stuart Mill, 1863
Actions are morally right when they increase overall happiness and wrong when they decrease it; happiness means pleasure and lack of pain.
In simple terms: Right actions increase pleasure, wrong actions cause pain.
Key Takeaway
Seek to maximize overall well‑being.
Themes
ethics
utilitarianism
consequentialism
happiness
morality
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- personal decision making
- business ethics
- public health
- environmental regulation
Key Concepts
pleasure principle
greatest happiness principle
ethical calculus
Questions to Reflect On
- What outcomes define happiness for you?
- How do you balance short‑term pleasure against long‑term well‑being?
A Different Perspective
May overlook minority rights or long‑term consequences.
![“[For people] to refuse a hearing to an opinion, because they are sure that it is false, is to assume that their certainty is the same thing as absolute certainty. All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility.” quote by John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c53/john-stuart-mill-477_doubt_for-people-to-refuse-a-hearing-to-an-opi_63929.jpg)
