Jeremy Bentham Quotes

A collection of quotes by Jeremy Bentham.

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) was an influential British philosopher, jurist, and social reformer. He was known for his utilitarian philosophy, which stressed the importance of maximizing happiness and minimizing pain for the greatest number of people. Bentham advocated for democratic reforms, equal rights for women, prison and legal reforms, and freedom of expression. He proposed the concept of the Panopticon, a prison design that allowed for constant surveillance, and contributed to the development of modern penal systems. Bentham's writings, including his major work "Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation," continue to influence moral and political theories today.

No power of government ought to be employed in the endeavor

No power of government ought to be employed in the endeavor to establish any system or article of belief on the subject of religion.

The greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundat

The greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation.

Secrecy, being an instrument of conspiracy, ought never to b

Secrecy, being an instrument of conspiracy, ought never to be the system of a regular government.

Tyranny and anarchy are never far apart.

Tyranny and anarchy are never far apart.

He who thinks and thinks for himself, will always have a cla

He who thinks and thinks for himself, will always have a claim to thanks; it is no matter whether it be right or wrong, so as it be explicit. If it is right, it will serve as a guide to direct; if wrong, as a beacon to warn.

The schoolmaster is abroad! And I trust to him armed with hi

The schoolmaster is abroad! And I trust to him armed with his primer against the soldier in full military array.

The said truth is that it is the greatest happiness of the g

The said truth is that it is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong.

$Every law is an infraction of liberty.$

Every law is an infraction of liberty.

The principle of asceticism never was, nor ever can be, cons

The principle of asceticism never was, nor ever can be, consistently pursued by any living creature. Let but one tenth part of the inhabitants of the earth pursue it consistently, and in a day's time they will have turned it into a Hell.

The age we live in is a busy age in which knowledge is rapid

The age we live in is a busy age in which knowledge is rapidly advancing towards perfection.

Lawyers are the only persons in whom ignorance of the law is

Lawyers are the only persons in whom ignorance of the law is not punished.

The power of the lawyer is in the uncertainty of the law.

The power of the lawyer is in the uncertainty of the law.