English jurist & philosopher (1748-1832)
As to the evil which results from a censorship, it is impossible to measure it, because it is impossible to tell where it ends.
JEREMY BENTHAM
Theory of Legislation
To what shall the character of utility be ascribed, if not to that which is a source of pleasure?
JEREMY BENTHAM
The Rationale of Reward
I do really take it for an indisputable truth, and a truth that is one of the corner stones of political science--the more strictly we are watched, the better we behave.
JEREMY BENTHAM
Farming Defended
Is it possible for a man to move the earth? Yes; but he must first find out another earth to stand upon.
JEREMY BENTHAM
An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation
The infirmity of human nature renders all plans precarious in the execution in proportion as they are extensive in design.
JEREMY BENTHAM
An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation
When a man says of an act that it is virtuous, he merely conveys an opinion that it merits his approbation, and thereon comes the inquiry, what is the ground of that opinion? On looking closely into the matter, it will be found that the ground, in different places, is very different, so that it would not be very easy to give a general answer. If the answers be correct, they will be different, and to collect them all, intricate and all-comprehensive as they are, boundless must be the researches in the field of geography and history. And thus it is, that when it is demanded why an act is virtuous, or what constitutes the virtue of an act, the only response to so important an inquiry will be, when thoroughly sifted--It is virtuous because I think it to be so, and its virtue consists in its having my favourable opinion.
JEREMY BENTHAM
Deontology; or, The Science of Morality