The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is that it is robbing the human race ... those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it.

It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.

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.

A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury.

If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.

One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.

-- Simone de Beauvoir

Being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.

-- John Locke

Good sense is the most evenly distributed thing in the world.

-- René Descartes

Officials are not perpetually noble, and commoners are not perpetually base.

-- Mozi

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

-- Thomas Jefferson

The Supreme Being has not decreed monarchy, nor aristocracy, nor wealth, nor slavery. He has decreed equality.

-- Maximilien Robespierre