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Duty is that mode of action on the part of the individual which constitutes the best possible application of his capacity to the general benefit.

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
Best
Benefits
Capacity
General
Duty
Possible
Constitutes
Individual
Mode
Action
Application
Part
Benefit

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The wise man is satisfied with nothing.
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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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The philosophy of the wisest man that ever existed, is mainly derived from the act of introspection.
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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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In cases where every thing is understood, and measured, and reduced to rule, love is out of the question.
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All education is despotism. It is perhaps impossible for the young to be conducted without introducing in many cases the tyranny implicit in obedience. Go there do that read write rise lie down - will perhaps forever be the language addressed to youth by age.
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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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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.
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Perfectibility is one of the most unequivocal characteristics of the human species.
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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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What can be more clear and sound in explanation, than the love of a parent to his child?
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Above all we should not forget, that government is an evil, an usurpation upon the private judgment and individual conscience of mankind.
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Hereditary wealth is in reality a premium paid to idleness.
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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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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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Books are the depositary of everything that is most honourable to man.
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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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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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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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