James F. Cooper
The disposition of all power is to abuses, nor does it at all mend the matter that its possessors are a majority.
James F. CooperA monarchy is the most expensive of all forms of government, the regal state requiring a costly parade, and he who depends on his own power to rule, must strengthen that power by bribing the active and enterprising whom he cannot intimidate.
James F. CooperAlthough the political liberty of this country is greater than that of nearly every other civilized nation, its personal liberty is said to be less.
James F. CooperIndividuality is the aim of political liberty. By leaving the citizen as much freedom of action and of being as comports with order and the rights of others, the institutions render him truly a freeman. He is left to pursue his means of happiness in his own manner.
James F. CooperThe tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity, since the tastes, knowledge, and principles of the majority form the tribunal of appeal.
James F. CooperSlavery is no more sinful, by the Christian code, than it is sinful to wear a whole coat, while another is in tatters, to eat a better meal than a neighbor, or otherwise to enjoy ease and plenty, while our fellow creatures are suffering and in want.
James F. CooperWhenever the government of the United States shall break up, it will probably be in consequence of a false direction having been given to public opinion.
James F. CooperIt is a misfortune that necessity has induced men to accord greater license to this formidable engine, in order to obtain liberty, than can be borne with less important objects in view; for the press, like fire, is an excellent servant, but a terrible master.
James F. CooperCandor is a proof of both a just frame of mind, and of a good tone of breeding. It is a quality that belongs equally to the honest man and to the gentleman.
James F. CooperThe common faults of American language are an ambition of effect, a want of simplicity, and a turgid abuse of terms.
James F. CooperIgnorance and superstition ever bear a close and mathematical relation to each other.
James F. CooperThe tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity.
James F. CooperSystems are to be appreciated by their general effects, and not by particular exceptions.
James F. CooperNo civilized society can long exist, with an active power in its bosom that is stronger than the law.
James F. CooperIt is a governing principle of nature, that the agency which can produce most good, when perverted from its proper aim, is most productive of evil.
James F. CooperThe affairs of life embrace a multitude of interests, and he who reasons in any one of them, without consulting the rest, is a visionary unsuited to control the business of the world.
James F. CooperParty leads to vicious, corrupt and unprofitable legislation, for the sole purpose of defeating party.
James F. Cooper
