On Liberty

by John Stuart Mill
On Liberty cover
Good Books rating 3.62
Philosophy
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  • ID: 1434
  • Added: 2025-10-05
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781398806047
  • Publisher: Arcturus Publishing
  • Published: 2020-10-16
  • Formats: 25
  • Reviews: 4

On Liberty is a foundational text by John Stuart Mill, first published in 1859, that delves into the principles of liberalism, human rights, and utilitarianism. Mill argues that true freedom lies in the ability to pursue one's own good without infringing on others' rights, a concept that has profoundly influenced politics and philosophy worldwide. /n/n This influential work examines the relationship between the state and society, advocating for individual liberties while considering the greater good. Mill's ideas continue to resonate today, making On Liberty a timeless exploration of the balance between personal freedom and collective responsibility.

Reviews
The StoryGraph · 2025-10-05
mixed 3.20

The book contains some profound ideas but is challenging to read due to its density and occasional problematic content. It requires effort to extract the valuable insights.

The reviewer acknowledges the presence of profound ideas within the book, but notes that it is quite dense and challenging to read. They mention that some of the content is shockingly racist, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these issues, they believe the book contains absolute gold nuggets of wisdom that are worth the effort to uncover.

Quick quotes

    There is some absolute gold in here, but my gosh it's hard work getting at it.

    And sometimes shockingly racist.

    It is not the feeling sure of a doctrine, be it what it may, which constitutes evidence of its truth.

BookAnon.com · 2019-03-12
neutral 3.00

This was the book where I learned a very critical piece of my reading personality: I much prefer my philosophy tomes in novel form to essay. The reviewer finds the essay format less engaging compared to philosophical novels.

The reviewer shares a personal insight about their reading preferences, noting that they much prefer philosophy presented in novel form rather than as an essay. While they acknowledge the significance of 'On Liberty,' they find the essay format less engaging and more challenging to connect with. The reviewer appreciates the depth of Mill's arguments but wishes the book had been presented in a more narrative style. This perspective highlights the importance of presentation in philosophical works.

Quick quotes

    This was the book where I learned a very critical piece of my reading personality: I much prefer my philosophy tomes in novel form to essay.

    The essay format is less engaging compared to philosophical novels.

    The reviewer finds the book significant but wishes for a more narrative style.

The Guardian · Robert McCrum · 2017-04-03
persuasive 4.50

The book captures the mood of the time with a spirited assertion of individual rights. It is a fine and lucid piece of writing.

Robert McCrum highlights Mill's ability to capture the spirit of his time through a passionate defense of individual rights. He praises the lucidity and finesse of Mill's writing, making it a timeless piece that resonates even today. McCrum finds the arguments persuasive and well-articulated, making it a significant contribution to the discourse on liberty.

Quick quotes

    This fine, lucid writer captured the mood of the time with this spirited assertion of the English individual's rights.

    Mill's writing is clear and his ideas are thought-provoking.

    The book presents a compelling case for individual liberty.

The Alethiophile · 2014-05-07
thought-provoking 3.80

The book is written as an argument for a particular point of view, though it takes a number of tangents which distract from the main thrust. The writing is clear and the ideas are thought-provoking.

The reviewer appreciates the clarity of Mill's writing and the depth of his arguments in favor of individual liberty. However, they feel that the book occasionally strays from its main argument, which can make the reading experience a bit disjointed. Overall, the ideas presented are compelling and worth considering, despite some detours.

Quick quotes

    The book is written as an argument for a particular point of view, though Mill takes a number of tangents which distract from the main thrust of the book.

    Mill's writing is clear and his ideas are thought-provoking.

    The book presents a compelling case for individual liberty.

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