James Harrington Quotes & Sayings

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

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