Maxioms by James Fenimore Cooper
Individuality is the aim of political liberty. By leaving the citizen as much freedom of action and of being as read more
Individuality 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.
It is a governing principle of nature, that the agency which can produce most good, when perverted from its proper read more
It 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. It behooves the well-intentioned, therefore, vigorously to watch the tendency of even their most highly prized institutions, since that which was established in the interests of the right, may so easily become the agent of the wrong.
...Although the political liberty of this country is greater than that of nearly every other civilized nation, its personal liberty read more
...Although the political liberty of this country is greater than that of nearly every other civilized nation, its personal liberty is said to be less. In other words, men are thought to be more under the control of extra-legal authorities, and to defer more to those around them, in pursuing even their lawful and innocent occupations, than in almost every other country.
It is a besetting vice of democracies to substitute public opinion for law. This is the usual form in which read more
It is a besetting vice of democracies to substitute public opinion for law. This is the usual form in which masses of men exhibit their tyranny.
The minority of a country is never known to agree, except in its efforts to reduce and oppress the majority.
The minority of a country is never known to agree, except in its efforts to reduce and oppress the majority.
