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.
Natural rights is simple nonsense: natural and imprescriptible rights, rhetorical nonsense—nonsense upon stilts.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Bentham critiques the concept of natural rights as fundamentally flawed and nonsensical.
In this quote, Jeremy Bentham dismisses the notion of natural rights, suggesting that such rights are arbitrary and lack a solid foundation. He argues that labeling certain rights as 'natural' or 'imprescriptible' amounts to empty rhetoric, implying that these ideas are merely theoretical constructs rather than practical realities that can be substantiated or defended. Bentham's perspective emphasizes the importance of legal and societal frameworks over abstract principles that claim inherent validity.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about human rights, one could reference this quote to argue against the idea of inherent rights.
More from Jeremy Bentham
All quotes →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.
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.
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.
It is the greatest good to the greatest number of people which is the measure of right and wrong.
Tyranny and anarchy are never far apart.
Similar quotes
Even those who fancy themselves the most progressive will fight against other kinds of progress, for each of us is convinced that our way is the best way.
Good Morning!” said Bilbo, and he meant it. The sun was shining, and the grass was very green. But Gandalf looked at him from under long bushy eyebrows that stuck out further than the brim of his shady hat. “What do you mean?” he said. “Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?
If you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work.
The way to truth lies through ahimsa (nonviolence).
Indeed, in view of its function, religion stands in greater need of a rational foundation of its ultimate principles than even the dogmas of science.
I am entirely persuaded that the agitations of the public mind advance its powers, and that at every vibration between the points of liberty and despotism, something will be gained for the former. As men become better informed, their rulers must respect them the more.