本文旨在申明一项非常简单的原则,它可以作为绝对标准,用来检验社会对个人的强迫和控制,无论其所用手段是司法惩处形式的物质力量,还是公众意见的道德压力。此项原则就是,人类以个人或集体形式干涉其任何成员行动自由的唯一正当理由,就是自我保护。权力可以违背其本人意愿而正当地施加于文明社会任何成员的唯一目的,就是防止对他人的伤害。其本人的利益,无论是物质的还是道德的,都不是充足的理由。他不能正当地以如下理由被迫去做什么或不做什么:因为这样做对他 The purpose of this article is to affirm a very simple principle that can be used as an absolute criterion for examining social coercion and control of individuals, whether the means used is the material force of judicial punishments or the moral pressure of public opinion. This principle is that the only justification for human beings’ interference with the freedom of movement of any of their members, individually or collectively, is self-protection. The only purpose that power can legitimately impose on any member of a civilized society against his own will is to prevent harm to others. Their own interests, whether material or moral, are not sufficient reasons. He can not properly be forced to do what or not because of the following reasons