James Otis Quotes

James Otis delivers bold, plain-spoken thoughts on rights, freedom and law that push you to question authority.

30 quotes

1. An act against the Constitution is void; an act against natural equity is void.

2. Ubi libertas ibi patria

3. ALL PRECEDENTS ARE UNDER THE CONTROUL OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW... No Acts of Parliament can establish such a writ [writ of assistance enabling British search of homes for no reason]: : it would be void, 'AN ACT AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION IS VOID.' Vid. Viner. But : special writs may be granted on oath and probable suspicion.

4. ... [Slave] trade : is the most shocking violation of the law of nature, has a direct tendency to diminish : liberty, and makes every dealer in it a tyrant, from the director of an African company to the petty chapman [peddler]:. It is a clear truth, that those who every day barter away other men's liberty will soon care little for their own.

5. A man's house is his castle.

6. Dew depends not on Parliament.

7. If we are not represented, we are slaves.

8. It is a clear truth that those who every day barter away other men's liberty will soon care little for their own.

9. Taxation without representation is tyranny.

10. What must be the wealth that avarice, aided by power, cannot exhaust!

11. Now one of the most essential branches of English liberty, is the freedom of one's house. A man's house is his castle; and while he is quiet, he is as well guarded as a prince in his castle. This writ of assistance, if it should be declared legal, would totally annihilate this privilege.

12. These manly sentiments, in private life, make good citizens; in public life, the patriot and the hero.

13. These manly sentiments, in private life, make the good citizen; in public life, the patriot and the hero.

14. [The passage of the Sugar Act] set people a thinking, in six months, more than they had done in their whole lives before.

15. MAY it please your Honors: I was desired by one of the court to look into the books, and consider the question now before them concerning Writs of Assistance.

16. I pray God I may never be brought to the melancholy trial; but, if ever I should, it will then be known how far I can reduce to practice principles which I know to be founded in truth.

17. One of the most essential branches of English liberty is the freedom of one's house. A man's house is his castle.

18. Let the consequences be what they will, I am determined to proceed.

19. And I take this opportunity to declare, that... I will to my dying day oppose with all the powers and faculties God has given me, all such instruments of slavery on the one hand, and villainy on the other, as this writ of assistance is. It appears to me the worst instrument of arbitrary power, - the most destructive of English liberty and the fundamental principles of law, that ever was found in an English law book.

20. No parts of his Majesty's dominions can be taxed without their consent.

21. I am forced to get my living by the labour of my hand; and the sweat of my brow... for bitter bread, earned under the frowns of some who have no natural or divine right to be above me, and entirely owe their grandeur and honor to grinding the faces of the poor...

22. Every one with this writ may be a tyrant in a legal manner, also may control, imprison, or murder any one within the realm.

23. Now, one of the most essential branches of English liberty is the freedom of one's house.

24. But I think I can sincerely declare that I cheerfully submit myself to every odious name for conscience' sake; and from my soul I despise all those whose guilt, malice, or folly has made them my foes.

25. Can there be any liberty where property is taken away without consent?

26. Every man may reign secure in his petty tyranny, and spread terror and desolation around him, until the trump of the Archangel shall excite different emotions in his soul.

27. The people's safety is the law of God.

28. I will to my dying day oppose, with all the powers and faculties God has given me, all such instruments of slavery on the one hand and villainy on the other as this Writ of Assistance is.

29. The supreme power cannot take from any man any part of his property, without his consent in person, or by representation.

30. Every British Subject born on the continent of America, or in any other of the British dominions, is by the law of God and nature, by the common law, and by act of parliament, (exclusive of all charters from the crown) entitled to all the natural, essential, inherent and inseparable rights of our fellow subjects in Great- Britain.