Full Idea
My first maxim is that the individual is not accountable to society for his actions, in so far as these concern the interests of no person but himself.
Gist of Idea
Individuals are not accountable for actions which only concern themselves
Source
John Stuart Mill (On Liberty [1857], Ch.5)
Book Reference
Mill,John Stuart: 'Utilitarianism (including On Liberty etc)', ed/tr. Warnock,Mary [Fontana 1962], p.226
A Reaction
This is a key idea of liberalism, and one which communitarians have doubts about (because it is almost impossible to perform an action which is of no interest, in the short or long term, to others). I share these doubts.