More - William Godwin Quotes

Above all we should not forget that government is an evil, a usurpation upon the private judgement and individual conscience of mankind.

William Godwin

 Conscience English Writer

Books have been handed down from generation to generation, as the true teachers of piety and the love of God, that represent him as so merciless and tyrannical a despot, that, if they were considered otherwise than through the medium of prejudice, they could inspire nothing but hatred. It seems that the impression we derive from a book, depends much less on its real contents, than upon the temper of mind and preparation with which we read it.

William Godwin

 Books And Reading

But the watchful care of the parent is endless. The youth is never free from the danger of grating interference.

William Godwin

 Danger English Writer

To him it is an ocean, unfathomable, and without a shore.

William Godwin

 English Writer

It is probable that there is no one thing that it is of eminent importance for a child to learn. The true object of juvenile education, is to provide, against the age of five and twenty, a mind well regulated, active, and prepared to learn. Whatever will inspire habits of industry and observation, will sufficiently answer this purpose.

William Godwin

 

There must be room for the imagination to exercise its powers; we must conceive and apprehend a thousand things which we do not actually witness.

William Godwin

 English Writer Exercise

Revolutions are the produce of passion, not of sober and tranquil reason.

William Godwin

 English Writer Passion

Perseverance is an active principle, and cannot continue to operate but under the influence of desire.

William Godwin

 Desire English Writer

The philosophy of the wisest man that ever existed, is mainly derived from the act of introspection.

William Godwin

 English Writer

As the true object of education is not to render the pupil the mere copy of his preceptor, it is rather to be rejoiced in, than lamented, that various reading should lead him into new trains of thinking. . . .

William Godwin

 Education