John Stuart Mill — "The 'self-regarding' offences, if they are to be called offences, are not to be …"

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

"The only business of the government is to prevent harm to others."

"The principle of utility is capable of receiving proof, only by showing that the only things desirable as ends are happiness and freedom from pain."

"The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than tho…"

"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 a …"