The 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. Cooper More Quotes by James F. Cooper More Quotes From James F. Cooper Principles . . . become modified in practice, by facts. James F. Cooper principles practice reality In America, it is indispensable that every well wisher of true liberty should understand that acts of tyranny can only proceed from the publick. The publick, then, is to be watched, in this country, as, in other countries kings and aristocrats are to be watched. James F. Cooper kings country america The 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. Cooper vision business life No star seemed less than what science has taught us that it is. James F. Cooper taught-us taught stars Liberty is not a matter of words, but a positive and important condition of society. Its greatest safeguard after placing its foundations on a popular base, is in the checks and balances imposed on the public servants. James F. Cooper balance government important If the newspapers are useful in overthrowing tyrants, it is only to establish a tyranny of their own. James F. Cooper tyrants newspapers tyranny Should we distrust the man because his manners are not our manners, and that his skin is dark? James F. Cooper skins dark men Whenever 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. Cooper united-states government break-up A 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. Cooper intimidating government power The tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity. James F. Cooper tendencies mediocrity democracy The press, like fire, is an excellent servant, but a terrible master. James F. Cooper journalism excellent fire It is the fate of all things to ripen, and then to decay. James F. Cooper decay fate all-things The minority of a country is never known to agree, except in its efforts to reduce and oppress the majority. James F. Cooper majority effort country We can all perceive the difference between ourselves and our inferiors, but when it comes to a question of the difference between us and our superiors we fail to appreciate merits of which we have no proper conceptions. James F. Cooper merit appreciate differences Equality, in a social sense, may be divided into that of condition, and that of rights. Equality of condition is incompatible with civilization, and is found only to exist in those communities that are but slightly removed from the savage state. In practice, it can only mean a common misery. James F. Cooper military law men I've heard it said that there are men who read in books to convince themselves there is a God. I know not but man may so deform his works in the settlements, as to leave that which is so clear in the wilderness a matter of doubt among traders and priests. James F. Cooper doubt men book The expanse of the ocean is seldom seen by the novice with indifference. James F. Cooper novices indifference ocean The flesh is sweeter, where the creature has some chance for its life; for that reason, I always use a single ball, even if it be at a bird or a squirrel; besides, it saves lead, for, when a body knows how to shoot, one piece of lead is enough for all, except hard-lived animals. James F. Cooper squirrels hunting animal The vulgar charge that the tendency of democracies is to leveling, meaning to drag all down to the level of the lowest, is singularly untrue; its real tendency being to elevate the depressed to a condition not unworthy of their manhood. James F. Cooper democracy levels real Party leads to vicious, corrupt and unprofitable legislation, for the sole purpose of defeating party. James F. Cooper politics party purpose
