Secrecy, being an instrument of conspiracy, ought never to be the system of a regular government.

An attack on America's Declaration of Independence. Animal rights
Bentham is widely regarded as one of the earliest proponents of animal rights and has even been hailed as "the first patron saint of animal rights". A large painting by Henry Tonks hanging in UCL's Flaxman Gallery depicts Bentham approving the plans of the new university but it was executed in 1922 and the scene is entirely imaginary.

He has also become known in recent years as an early advocate of animal rights. : /ˈbɛnθəm/; 15 February 1748 OS – 6 June 1832) was a British philosopher jurist and social reformer. He advocated individual and economic freedom the separation of church and state freedom of expression equal rights for women the right to divorce and the decriminalising of homosexual acts.