This text discusses the principle that individuals should only be compelled or controlled by society through force or social pressure to prevent harm to others, not for their own benefit. It asserts that an individual's liberty can only rightfully be interfered with for self-protection purposes. The only justification for exercising power over someone against their will is to prevent harm to others, as their own good is not a sufficient reason to compel them to act in a certain way or restrain them.

1. Technical English 2
May 2015
Reading Materials(Lecture 2)
Readand explainthe text.
…The objectof thisEssay isto assertone verysimple principle,asentitledtogovernabsolutelythe
dealingsof societywiththe individual inthe wayof compulsionandcontrol,whetherthe means
usedbe physical force inthe formof legal penaltiesor the moral coercionof publicopinion.The
principle is,thatthe sole endforwhichmankindare warranted,individuallyorcollectively,in
interferingwiththe libertyof actionof anyof theirnumber,isself-protection.Thatthe onlypurpose
for whichpowercanbe rightfullyexercisedoveranymemberof acivilizedcommunity,againsthis
will,istopreventharmto others.Hisowngood,eitherphysical ormoral,isnot a sufficientwarrant.
He cannotrightfullybe compelledtodoor forbearbecause itwill be betterforhimto doso, because
it will make himhappier,because,inthe opinionsof others,todosowouldbe wise,orevenright.
There are goodreasonsforremonstratingwithhim, orreasoningwithhim, orpersuadinghim, or
entreatinghim,but notforcompellinghim, orvisitinghimwithanyevil,incase he dootherwise.To
justifythat,the conductfromwhichit isdesiredtodeterhimmustbe calculatedtoproduce evil to
some one else.The onlypartof the conductof anyone,for whichhe is amenable tosociety,isthat
whichconcernsothers.Inthe part whichmerelyconcernshimself,hisindependence is,of right,
absolute.Overhimself,overhisownbodyandmind,the individual issovereign.