The most cogent reason for restricting the interference of government is the great evil of adding unnecessarily to its power.

To think that because those who wield power in society wield in the end that of government, therefore it is of no use to attempt to influence the constitution of the government by acting on opinion, is to forget that opinion is itself one of the greatest active social forces. One person with a belief is a social power equal to ninety-nine who have only interests.

Despotism is a legitimate mode of government in dealing with barbarians, provided the end be their improvement.

We can never be sure that the opinion we are endeavouring to stifle is a false opinion; and even if we were sure, stifling it would be an evil still.

The general tendency of things throughout the world is to render mediocrity the ascendant power among mankind

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.