93 Quotes by Jeremy Bentham

. . . in no instance has a system in regard to religion been ever established, but for the purpose, as well as with the effect of its being made an instrument of intimidation, corruption, and delusion, for the support of depredation and oppression in the hands of governments.

If then, merely out of regard to population, it were right that paederasts should be burnt alive, monks ought to be roasted alive over a slow fire. (Offences Against One's Self,

Without publicity, no good is permanent; under the auspices of publicity, no evil can continue.

Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure. It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do, as well as to determine what we shall do.

All punishment is mischief; all punishment in itself is evil.

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

It is the greatest good to the greatest number of people which is the measure of right and wrong.

Stretching his hand up to reach the stars, too often man forgets the flowers at his feet.

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