Quote

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.

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
Men
Flow
Atheism
Infringed
Expect
Neighbours
Shall
Discretion
Nature
Neighbour
Certain
Sphere
Right
Flows
Every
Spheres

More quotes by William Godwin

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Government will not fail to employ education, to strengthen its hands and perpetuate its institutions.
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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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Books gratify and excite our curiosity in innumerable ways.
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The wise man is satisfied with nothing.
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What indeed is life, unless so far as it is enjoyed? It does not merit the name.
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If ever there was a book calculated to make a man in love with its author, this appears to me to be the book.
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Everything that is usually understood by the term co-operation is, in some degree, an evil.
William Godwin
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The execution of any thing considerable implies in the first place previous persevering meditation.
William Godwin
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Revolution is engendered by an indignation with tyranny, yet is itself pregnant with tyranny.... An attempt to scrutinize men's thoughts and punish their opinions is of all kinds of despotism the most odious: yet this is peculiarly character of a period of revolution.... There is no period more at war with the existence of liberty.
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Of Belief Human mathematics, so to speak, like the length of life, are subject to the doctrine of chances.
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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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Invisible things are the only realities invisible things alone are the things that shall remain.
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It is probable that there is no one thing that it is of eminent importance for a child to learn. The true object of juvenile education, is to provide, against the age of five and twenty, a mind well regulated, active, and prepared to learn. Whatever will inspire habits of industry and observation, will sufficiently answer this purpose.
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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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Study with desire is real activity without desire it is but the semblance and mockery of activity.
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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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Power is not happiness. Security and peace are more to be desired than a name at which nations tremble.
William Godwin
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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.
William Godwin
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Government can have no more than two legitimate purposes - the suppression of injustice against individuals within the community, and the common defense against external invasion.
William Godwin
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He has no right to his life when his duty calls him to resign it. Other men are bound ... to deprive him of life or liberty, if that should appear in any case to be indispensably necessary to prevent a greater evil.
William Godwin