1
A good despotism is an altogether false ideal, which practically (except as a means to some temporary purpose) becomes the most senseless and dangerous of chimeras.
The complete collection
11 quotes by John Stuart Mill · clear filters
A good despotism is an altogether false ideal, which practically (except as a means to some temporary purpose) becomes the most senseless and dangerous of chimeras.
Only an unmitigated despotism demands that the individual citizen shall obey unconditionally every mandate of persons in authority.
The interest of the people is that there should be full liberty of censure on every public officer, and on every public act or measure.
Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.
A Sultan's favourite slave has slaves under her, over whom she tyrannizes; but the desirable thing would be that she should neither have slaves nor be a slave.
Even the commonest men reserve the violent, the sulky, the undisguisedly selfish side of their character for those who have no power to withstand it.
The subjection of women to men being a universal custom, any departure from it quite naturally appears unnatural.
All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility.
A man who is morose or violent to his equals, is sure to be one who has lived among inferiors, whom he could frighten or worry into submission.
Her power often gives her what she has no right to, but does not enable her to assert her own rights.
If ever any system of privilege and enforced subjection had its yoke tightly riveted on the necks of those who are kept down by it, this has.
© 2026 Just Brands, LLC