Q0267

“The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any…” — John Stuart Mill (On Liberty I)

Verified English quotation. Primary source: On Liberty I. Theme: power.

English

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.
Thinker John Stuart Mill
School Utilitarianism
Source On Liberty I
Theme Power
Another quotation More from this thinker

Source and attribution

The archive attributes this English wording to On Liberty I and files it under Utilitarianism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.

About John Stuart Mill

John Stuart Mill (1806–1873) refined utilitarianism and authored On Liberty, a classic defense of individuality against social and political tyranny.

How to read this passage

Philosophers analyze domination, authority, freedom, and the micro-politics of everyday life. Power can enable justice or crush it. This passage enters that discussion through power.

Concepts in this quote

Power
Power is the capacity to affect others and to shape what counts as possible—central to politics and ethics.

How to cite this quotation

APA: John Stuart Mill. (n.d.). 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. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0267

MLA: John Stuart Mill. “The only purpose for which power can be….” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0267.

Chicago: John Stuart Mill. “The only purpose for which power can be….” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0267.

Frequently asked questions

What is the source of the quotation “The only purpose for which power can be…”?

The passage is attributed to John Stuart Mill, On Liberty I. The archive attributes this English wording to On Liberty I and files it under Utilitarianism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.

What does John Stuart Mill mean by power?

Philosophers analyze domination, authority, freedom, and the micro-politics of everyday life. Power can enable justice or crush it. This passage enters that discussion through power.

Same thinker

More from John Stuart Mill

  1. The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs.
  2. It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.
  3. He who knows only his own side of the case, knows little of that.
  4. It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied.
  5. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.

All quotations by John Stuart Mill

Same theme

More on power

  1. The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs.
  2. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.
  3. Being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.
  4. Democratic societies have a natural taste for liberty.

Browse the power theme