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To conceive that compulsion and punishment are the proper means of reformation is the sentiment of a barbarian.

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
Punishment
Barbarian
Means
Barbarians
Mean
Reformation
Sentiment
Conceive
Compulsion
Sentiments
Proper

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He that revels in a well-chosen library, has innumerable dishes, and all of admirable flavour.
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The diligent scholar is he that loves himself, and desires to have reason to applaud and love himself.
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The first duty of man is to take none of the principles of conduct upon trust to do nothing without a clear and individual conviction that it is right to be done.
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The wise man is satisfied with nothing.
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Government will not fail to employ education, to strengthen its hands and perpetuate its institutions.
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Power is not happiness.
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Learning is the ally, not the adversary of genius... he who reads in a proper spirit, can scarcely read too much.
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Whenever government assumes to deliver us from the trouble of thinking for ourselves, the only consequences it produces are those of torpor and imbecility.
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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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Revolution is engendered by an indignation with tyranny, yet is itself pregnant with tyranny.
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Books gratify and excite our curiosity in innumerable ways.
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It is absurd to expect the inclinations and wishes of two human beings to coincide, through any long period of time. To oblige them to act and live together is to subject them to some inevitable potion of thwarting, bickering, and unhappiness.
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The virtue of a human being is the application of his capacity to the general good.
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Books are the depositary of everything that is most honourable to man.
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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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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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What can be more clear and sound in explanation, than the love of a parent to his child?
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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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The execution of any thing considerable implies in the first place previous persevering meditation.
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Power is not happiness. Security and peace are more to be desired than a name at which nations tremble.
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