William Godwin, (1756-1836) English journalist, political philosopher and novelist Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page [1-6] of 6 William Godwin quotesWilliam Godwin QuotesWilliam Godwin Let us consider the effect that coercion produces upon the mind of him against whom it is employed. It cannot begin with convincing; it is no argument. It begins with producing the sensation of pain, and the sentiment of distaste. It begins with violently alienating the mind from the truth with which we wish it to be impressed. It includes in it a tacit confession of imbecility. If he who employs coercion against me could mould me to his purposes by argument, no doubt he would. He pretends to punish me because his argument is important, but he really punishes me because his argument is weak. ~ William Godwin To dragoon man into the adoption of what we think right, is an intolerable tyranny.~ William Godwin Whenever government assumes to deliver us from the trouble of thinking for ourselves, the only consequences it produces are those of torpor and imbecility.~ William Godwin Make men wise, and by that very operation you make them free. Civil liberty follows as a consequence of this; no usurped power can stand against the artillery of opinion.~ William Godwin Government will not fail to employ education to strengthen its hands and perpetuate its institutions.~ William Godwin Bred in the lap of Republican Freedom.~ William Godwin Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print