Top 7 Quotes & Sayings by James Harrington

Explore popular quotes and sayings by an English philosopher James Harrington.

Last updated on December 22, 2024.

James Harrington was an English political theorist of classical republicanism. He is best known for his controversial publication The Commonwealth of Oceana (1656). This work was an exposition of an ideal constitution, a utopia, designed to facilitate the development of the English republic established after the regicide, the execution of Charles I in 1649.

English - Philosopher | January 3, 1611 - September 11, 1677

Source: Wikipedia

The Law is but words and paper without the hands of swords of men.

James Harrington

Vice: Whatever was passion in the contemplation of man, being brought forth by his will into action.

James Harrington

A whole army, though they can neither write nor read, are not afraid of a platform, which they know is but earth or stone; nor of a cannon, which, without a hand to give fire to it, is but cold iron; therefore a whole army is afraid of one man.

James Harrington

No man can be a politician, except he be first a historian or a traveller; for except he can see what must be, or what may be, he is no politician.

James Harrington

The blushing cheek speaks modest mind,The lips befitting words most kind,The eye does tempt to love's desire,And seems to, say 'tis "Cupid's fire.

James Harrington

And government (to define it de facto, or according to modern prudence) is an art whereby some man, or some few men, subject a city or a nation, and rule it according to his or their private interest; which, because the laws in such cases are made according to the interest of a man, or of some few families, may be said to be the empire of men, and not of laws.

James Harrington

A whole army, though they can neither write nor read, are not afraid of a platform... therefore a whole army is afraid of one man.

James Harrington