Quote

Make men wise, and by that very operation you make them free. Civil liberty follows as a consequence of this no usurped power can stand against the artillery of opinion.

William Godwin

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William Godwin
Age: 80 †
Born: 1756
Born: March 3
Died: 1836
Died: April 7
Journalist
Novelist
Philosopher
Political Philosopher
Science Fiction Writer
Writer
Wisbech
Cambridgeshire
Make
Consequence
Men
Stand
Wise
Usurped
Liberty
Artillery
Opinion
Operation
Wisdom
Follows
Free
Operations
Power
Civil

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Man is the only creature we know, that, when the term of his natural life is ended, leaves the memory of himself behind him.
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The cause of justice is the cause of humanity. Its advocates should overflow with universal good will. We should love this cause, for it conduces to the general happiness of mankind.
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One of the prerogatives by which man is eminently distinguished from all other living beings inhabiting this globe of earth, consists in the gift of reason.
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If there be such a thing as truth, it must infallibly be struck out by the collision of mind with mind.
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As the true object of education is not to render the pupil the mere copy of his preceptor, it is rather to be rejoiced in, than lamented, that various reading should lead him into new trains of thinking.
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Perfectibility is one of the most unequivocal characteristics of the human species.
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Invisible things are the only realities invisible things alone are the things that shall remain.
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To conceive that compulsion and punishment are the proper means of reformation is the sentiment of a barbarian.
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The great model of the affection of love in human beings is the sentiment which subsists between parents and children.
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In a well-written book we are presented with the maturest reflections, or the happiest flights of a mind of uncommon excellence. It is impossible that we can be much accustomed to such companions without attaining some resemblance to them.
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The virtue of a human being is the application of his capacity to the general good.
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Hereditary wealth is in reality a premium paid to idleness.
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Government will not fail to employ education, to strengthen its hands and perpetuate its institutions.
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If admiration were not generally deemed the exclusive property of the rich, and contempt the constant lackey of poverty, the love of gain would cease to be an universal problem.
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Every man has a certain sphere of discretion which he has a right to expect shall not be infringed by his neighbours. This right flows from the very nature of man.
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Study with desire is real activity without desire it is but the semblance and mockery of activity.
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The real or supposed rights of man are of two kinds, active and passive the right in certain cases to do as we list and the right we possess to the forbearance or assistance of other men. The first of these a just philosophy will probably induce us universally to explode.
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In cases where every thing is understood, and measured, and reduced to rule, love is out of the question.
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It is probable that there is no one thing that it is of eminent importance for a child to learn.
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My mind was bursting with depression and anguish. I muttered imprecations and murmuring as I passed along. I was full of loathing and abhorrence of life, and all that life carries in its train.
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