Liberty Quote by John Stuart Mill
“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.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: On Liberty, 1859
Power may only be used to prevent harm to others, not to impose will arbitrarily.
In simple terms: Power is justified only to stop harm.
Key Takeaway
Limit power to protection.
Themes
ethics
politics
rights
Mood
analytical
serious
Type
philosophical
legal
When to use this quote
- law enforcement
- government policy
- community safety
Key Concepts
liberalism
harm principle
Questions to Reflect On
- When is intervention justified?
- Who decides what is harmful?
A Different Perspective
Determining what constitutes “harm” can be subjective.
![“[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)
