He who thinks and thinks for himself, will always have a claim to thanks; it is no matter whether it be right or wrong, so as it be explicit. If it is right, it will serve as a guide to direct; if wrong, as a beacon to warn.
Jeremy BenthamRead
Create all the happiness you are able to create; remove all the misery you are able to remove. Every day will allow you, --will invite you to add something to the pleasure of others, --or to diminish something of their pains.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of actively contributing to the happiness of others while alleviating their suffering.
Jeremy Bentham's quote highlights the moral obligation of individuals to create happiness and reduce suffering in the lives of those around them. It suggests that each day presents opportunities to foster joy or relieve pain, thereby underscoring our agency in influencing the well-being of others and the communal responsibility we share in promoting happiness within society.
Themes
HappinessCreateMiseryPleasureOthers
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about community service.
More from Jeremy Bentham
All quotes →Nature has placed mankind under the government of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure... they govern us in all we do, in all we say, in all we think: every effort we can make to throw off our subjection, will serve but to demonstrate and confirm it.
Jeremy BenthamRead
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.
Jeremy BenthamRead
It is the greatest good to the greatest number of people which is the measure of right and wrong.
Jeremy BenthamRead
Tyranny and anarchy are never far apart.
Jeremy BenthamRead
Without publicity, no good is permanent; under the auspices of publicity, no evil can continue.
Jeremy BenthamRead
Similar quotes
I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. Nothing else.
Nikos KazantzakisRead
I like the rain before it falls. of course there is no such thing, she said. That's why it's my favorite. Something can still make you happy, can't it, even if it isn't real.
Jonathan CoeRead
Smile, it's easier than explaning why you're sad
Frank OceanRead
The Holy Spirit gives us joy. And he is joy. Joy is the gift in which all the other gifts are included. It is the expression of happiness, of being in harmony with ourselves, that which can only come from being in harmony with God and with his creation. It belongs to the nature of joy to be radiant; it must communicate itself. The missionary spirit of the Church is none other than the impulse to communicate the joy which has been given.
Pope Benedict XviRead
Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek.
Dalai LamaRead
My heart forgives and releases. Inner peace is my goal.
Louise HayRead