… the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community against his will is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or to forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because in the opinions of others to do so would be wise or even right. These are good reasons for remonstrating with him, or reasoning with him, or persuading him, or entreating him, but not for compelling him, or visiting him with any evil in case he do otherwise. To justify that, the conduct from which it is desired to deter him must be calculated to produce evil to someone else.
— John Stuart Mill, On Liberty [1859]
- John Stuart Mill Short Biography
Utilitarianism.com
- John Stuart Mill and the Three Dangers to Liberty
by Richard M. Ebeling
Future of Freedom Foundation
- The Sphere of Government: Nineteenth Century Theories: John Stuart Mill
by Henry Hazlitt
Foundation for Economic Education
- On Liberty
by John Stuart Mill
Utilitarianism.com
- Principles of Political Economy
by John Stuart Mill
Library of Economics and Liberty
- Mill Bibliography
University of Bristol