"Most of the great positive evils of the world are in themselves removable, and will, if human affairs continue to improve, be in a great degree reduced in bulk."

"The initiation of all wise or noble things, comes and must come from individuals; generally at first from some one individual."

"The despotism of custom is everywhere the standing hindrance to human advancement."

"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 …"

"The ultimate end, with reference to and for the sake of which all other things are desirable (whether we are considering our own good or that of other people), is an existence exempt as far as possibl…"