No person is an entirely isolated being; it is impossible for a person to do anything seriously or permanently harmful to himself without the mischief reaching at least to his nearest connections, and often far beyond them. If he injures his property, he does harm to those who directly or indirectly derived support from it, and usually diminishes, by a greater or lesser amount, the general resources of the community. If he deteriorates his bodily or mental facilities, he not only brings evil upon all who depended on him for any portion of their happiness, but disqualifies himself from rendering the services which he owes to his fellow creatures generally, perhaps becomes becomes a burden on their affection or benevolence; and if such conduct were very frequent hardly any offence that is committed would detract more then general sum of good. Finally, if by his vices or follies a person does not direct harm at others, he is nevertheless (it may be said) injurious by his example, and ought to be compelled to control himself for the sake of those whom the sight or knowledge of his conduct might corrupt or mislead.

The Authority of Society and the Individual, On liberty.
John Stuart Mill.



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