Quote

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.

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
Character
Periods
Despotism
Kind
Atheism
Punish
Men
Revolution
Pregnant
Thoughts
Opinions
Engendered
Liberty
Attempt
Scrutinize
Opinion
Tyranny
Peculiarly
Existence
Period
Odious
War
Kinds
Indignation

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Perfectibility is one of the most unequivocal characteristics of the human species.
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Everything that is usually understood by the term co-operation is, in some degree, an evil.
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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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The most desirable mode of education, is that which is careful that all the acquisitions of the pupil shall be preceded and accompanied by desire . . . The boy, like the man, studies because he desires it. He proceeds upon a plan of is own invention, or by which, by adopting, he has made his own. Everything bespeaks independence and inequality.
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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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Invisible things are the only realities invisible things alone are the things that shall remain.
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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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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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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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Let us not, in the eagerness of our haste to educate, forget all the ends of education.
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Self-respect to be nourished in the mind of the pupil, is one of the most valuable results of a well conducted education.
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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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Revolution is engendered by an indignation with tyranny, yet is itself pregnant with tyranny.
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We cannot perform our tasks to the best of our power, unless we think well of our own capacity.
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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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Study with desire is real activity without desire it is but the semblance and mockery of activity.
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Literature, taken in all its bearings, forms the grand line of demarcation between the human and the animal kingdoms.
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Revolutions are the produce of passion, not of sober and tranquil reason.
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Books gratify and excite our curiosity in innumerable ways.
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