James F. Cooper
James F. Cooper
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionNovelist
Date of Birth15 September 1789
CountryUnited States of America
power government intimidating
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.
religious america prejudice
America owes most of its social prejudices to the exaggerated religious opinions of the different sects which were so instrumental in establishing the colonies.
time imagination events
On the human imagination events produce the effects of time.
mean equality practice
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.
mother reflection maturity
Perfection is always found in maturity, whether it be in the animal or in the intellectual world. Reflection is the mother of wisdom, and wisdom the parent of success.
men selfishness world
We live in a world of transgressions and selfishness, and no pictures that represent us otherwise can be true; though happily for human nature, gleamings of that pure spirit in whose likeness man has been fashioned, are to be seen, relieving its deformities, and mitigating, if not excusing its crimes.
book men doubt
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.
lonely nature earth-day
There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore.
country simplicity humanity
A refined simplicity is the characteristic of all high bred deportment, in every country, and a considerate humanity should be the aim of all beneath it.
reality practice facts
Principles . . . become modified in practice, by facts.
reality law long
No civilized society can long exist, with an active power in its bosom that is stronger than the law.
ambition simplicity abuse
The common faults of American language are an ambition of effect, a want of simplicity, and a turgid abuse of terms.
fire journalism excellent
The press, like fire, is an excellent servant, but a terrible master.
government office long
The very existence of government at all, infers inequality. The citizen who is preferred to office becomes the superior of those who are not, so long he is the repository of power