Bentham Quotes: 7 Sourced Quotations, Explained

All punishment in itself is evil. Upon the principle of utility, if it ought at all to be admitted, it ought only to be admitted in as far as it promises to exclude some greater evil.

An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, ch. XIII, §2

On , their position:

By the principle of utility is meant that principle which approves or disapproves of every action whatsoever, according to the tendency which it appears to have to augment or diminish the happiness of the party whose interest is in question.

An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, ch. I, §2

On , their position:

Natural rights is simple nonsense: natural and imprescriptible rights, rhetorical nonsense, nonsense upon stilts.

Anarchical Fallacies

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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.

An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, ch. I, §1

On , their position:
On , their position:
On , their position:

Quantity of pleasure being equal, pushpin is as good as poetry.

The Rationale of Reward

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The interest of the community then is, what? — the sum of the interests of the several members who compose it.

An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, ch. I, §4

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The question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?

An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, ch. XVII

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