The equal rights of man, and the happiness of every individual, are now acknowledged to be the only legitimate objects of government.

Whatever the form or constitution of government may be, it ought to have no other object than the general happiness.

Happiness is the only good, reason the only torch, justice the only worship, humanity the only religion, and love the only priest.

The care of human life and happiness, and their destruction is the first and only legitimate object of a good government.

The object of government in peace and in war is not the glory of rulers or of races, but the happiness of the common man.

The main objects of all science, the freedom and happiness of man. . . . [are] the sole objects of all legitimate government.

(A plaque with this quotation, with the first phrase omitted, is in the stairwell of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.)

That is the best government which desires to make the people happy, and knows how to make them happy.

The equal rights of man, and the happiness of every individual, are now acknowledged to be the only legitimate objects of government. Modern times have the signal advantage, too, of having discovered the only device by which these rights can be secured, to wit: government by the people, acting not in person, but by representatives chosen by themselves, that is to say; by every man of ripe years and sane mind, who either contributes by his purse or person to the support of his country.

Whenever a single definite object is made the supreme end of the State, be it the advantage of a class, the safety of the power of the country, the greatest happiness of the greatest number, or the support of any speculative idea, the State becomes for the time inevitably absolute. Liberty alone demands for its realisation the limitation of the public authority, for liberty is the only object which benefits all alike, and provokes no sincere opposition.

There is only one enduring happiness in life—to live for others.

There is only one passion, the passion for happiness.

patriotism and religion are the only two motives in the world which can permanently direct the whole of a body politic to one end.

Happiness is only real, when shared.

Having one king, one god, one belief, they can act single-mindedly.