On the human imagination, events produce the effects of time. Thus, he who has travelled far and seen much, is apt to fancy that he has lived long; and the history that most abounds in important incidents, soonest assumes the aspect of antiquity.
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, The Deerslayer
Should we distrust [a] man because his manners are not our manners?
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, The Last of the Mohicans
The very existence of government at all, infers inequality. The citizen who is preferred to office becomes the superior to those who are not, so long as he is the repository of power, and the child inherits the wealth of the parent as a controlling law of society.
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, The American Democrat
It is a besetting vice of democracies to substitute public opinion for law. This is the usual form in which masses of men exhibit their tyranny.
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, The American Democrat
Misfortune begets misfortune: life is a misfortune, for it may be the means of enduring misfortune; and death is a misfortune, as it abridges the enjoyments of life.
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, The Spy
The sublimity connected with vastness is familiar to every eye.
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, The Pathfinder
Party leads to vicious, corrupt and unprofitable legislation, for the sole purpose of defeating party.
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, The American Democrat
The expanse of the ocean is seldom seen by the novice with indifference.
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, The Pathfinder
Slavery is no more sinful, by the Christian code, than it is sinful to wear a whole coat, while another is in tatters, to eat a better meal than a neighbor, or otherwise to enjoy ease and plenty, while our fellow creatures are suffering and in want.
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, The American Democrat
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 FENIMORE COOPER, The Pioneers
I know but little of the customs of war, and wish to know less.
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, The Spy
Apathy is the great requisite for the station; for wo betide the wretch who fancies any modicum of zeal.
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, Homeward Bound; Or, The Chase
Nothing is easier to us who pass our time in the great school of Providence than to learn its lessons.
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, The Deerslayer
History, like love, is so apt to surround her heroes with an atmosphere of imaginary brightness.
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, The Last of the Mohicans
The common faults of American language are an ambition of effect, a want of simplicity, and a turgid abuse of terms.
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, "On Language", The American Democrat
The press, like fire, is an excellent servant, but a terrible master.
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, The American Democrat
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