William Godwin

loves reading reach books

“He that loves reading has everything within his reach.”

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

human understanding investigation true truth convenient

“It has an unhappy effect upon the human understanding and temper, for a man to be compelled in his gravest investigation of an argument, to consider, not what is true, but what is convenient.”

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

government deliver free thinking ourselves torpor imbecility

“Whenever government assumes to deliver us from the trouble of thinking for ourselves, the only consequences it produces are those of torpor and imbecility.”

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

power word my property

“What power there is in the word my.”

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

admiration rich contemption poverty love of gain universal probl

“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.”

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

coercion argument purposepunish strong weak

"If he who employs coercion against me could mould me to his purposes by argument, no doubt he would. He pretends to punish me because his argument is strong; but he really punishes me because his argument is weak."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

government evil usurpation judgement individual conscience

"Above all we should not forget, that government is an evil, an usurpation upon the private judgment and individual conscience of mankind."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

revolution engender indignation tyranny pregnant

"Revolution is engendered by an indignation with tyranny, yet is itself pregnant with tyranny."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

duty man principles conduct trust individual conviction right

"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."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

wise man satisfied nothing satisfy

"The wise man is satisfied with nothing."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

revolution passion sober tranquil reason

"Revolutions are the produce of passion, not of sober and tranquil reason."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

philosophy wisest man introspection

"The philosophy of the wisest man that ever existed, is mainly derived from the act of introspection."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

cause justice humanity happiness mankind

"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."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

parent teacher established rule politics government poison minds

"As long as parents and teachers in general shall fall under the established rule, it is clear that politics and modes of government will educate and infect us all. They poison our minds, before we can resist, or so much as suspect their malignity. Like the barbarous directors of the Eastern seraglios, they deprive us of our vitality, and fit us for their despicable employment from the cradle."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

proper method decay error intellectual uniformity think self

"The proper method for hastening the decay of error, is not, by brute force, or by regulation which is one of the classes of force, to endeavour to reduce men to intellectual uniformity; but on the contrary by teaching every man to think for himself."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

education despotism tyranny obedience

"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."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

study desire real activity semblance mockery

"Study with desire is real activity; without desire it is but the semblance and mockery of activity."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

man creature animal memory behind

"Man is the only creature we know, that, when the term of his natural life is ended, leaves the memory of himself behind him."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

government education strengthen hands perpetuate institutions

"Government will not fail to employ education, to strengthen its hands and perpetuate its institutions."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

proper method decay errors every man think himself

"The proper method for hastening the decay of error is by teaching every man to think for himself."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

truth struck out collision mind

"If there be such a thing as truth, it must infallibly be struck out by the collision of mind with mind."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

object education pupil copy preceptor new trains of thinking

"As the true object of education is not to render the pupil the mere copy of his preceptor, it is rather to be rejoiced in, than lamented, that various reading should lead him into new trains of thinking."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)

government purpose injustice community defense invasion

"Government can have no more than two legitimate purposes - the suppression of injustice against individuals within the community, and the common defense against external invasion."

― William Godwin (1756-1836)