James Otis Quotes

The only principles of public conduct that are worthy of a gentleman or a man are to sacrifice estate, ease, health, and applause, and even life, to the sacred calls of his country.

Taxation without representation is tyranny.

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

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.

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.

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

A man's house is his castle.

My dear sister, I hope, when God Almighty in his righteous providence shall take me out of time into eternity, that it will be by a flash of lightning.

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

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

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

Parliaments are in all cases to declare what is good for the whole; but it is not the declaration of parliament that makes it so.

A man is accountable to no person for his doings.

The people's safety is the law of God.

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.

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

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

I do not say that, when brought to the test, I shall be invincible.

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

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

Dew depends not on Parliament.

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

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

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

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

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.