James Otis Jr.: Liberty

James Otis Jr. was Lawyer in colonial Massachusetts. Explore interesting quotes on liberty.
James Otis Jr.: 26   quotes 1   like

“The colonists are by the law of nature free-born, as indeed all men are, white or black…It is a clear truth, that those who every day barter away other men's liberty will soon care little for their own.”

James Otis Jr.

Argument Against the Writs of Assistance (1761)
Context: … [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]…. The colonists are by the law of nature free-born, as indeed all men are, white or black... It is a clear truth, that those who every day barter away other men's liberty will soon care little for their own.

Men , Truth , Law , Nature

“The end of the government being the good of mankind points out its great duties: it is above all things to provide for the security, the quiet, the happy enjoyment of life, liberty, and property.”

James Otis Jr.

Argument Against the Writs of Assistance (1761)

Life , Happiness

“If life, liberty, and property could be enjoyed in as great perfection in solitude as in society, there would be no need of government.”

James Otis Jr.

Argument Against the Writs of Assistance (1761)

Life , Solitude , Perfection

“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 whilst he is quiet, he is as well guarded as a prince in his castle.”

James Otis Jr.

Argument Against the Writs of Assistance (1761)

Freedom , Housing