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Political literature7 quotes
It is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong. — Jeremy Bentham · 1776A full-grown horse or dog is beyond comparison a more rational, as well as a more conversable animal, than an infant of a day, or a week, or even a month old. But suppose the case were otherwise, what would it avail? The question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? but, Can they suffer? — Jeremy Bentham · 1789All punishment is mischief: all punishment in itself is evil. — Jeremy Bentham · 1789Every law is contrary to liberty. — Jeremy Bentham · 1832Publicity is the very soul of justice. It is the keenest spur to exertion, and the surest of all guards against improbity. — Jeremy Bentham · 1832Natural rights is simple nonsense: natural and imprescriptible rights, rhetorical nonsense,—nonsense upon stilts. — Jeremy Bentham · 1832All 7 quotes →Philosophical literature2 quotes
It is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong. — Jeremy Bentham · 1776Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do, as well as to determine what we shall do. — Jeremy Bentham · 1789