I say supreme absolute power is originally and ultimately in the people; and they never did in fact freely, nor can they rightfully make an absolute, unlimited renunciation of this divine right.
- James Otis, The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved, 1764
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The end of government being the good of mankind, points out its great duties: It is above all things to provide for the security, the quiet, and happy enjoyment of life, liberty, and property. There is no one act which a government can have a right to make, that does not tend to the advancement of the security, tranquility and prosperity of the people.
- James Otis, The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved
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If life, liberty and property could be enjoyed in as great perfection in solitude, as in society, there would be no need of government. But the experience of ages has proved that such is the nature of man, a weak, imperfect being; that the valuable ends of live cannot be obtained without the union and assistance of many. Hence ’tis clear that men cannot live apart or independent of each other: In solitude men would perish...
- James Otis, The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved
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Government is founded immediately on the necessities of human nature, and ultimately on the will of God, the author of nature; who has not left it to men in general to choose, whether they will be members of society or not, but at the hazard of their senses if not of their lives.
Yet it is left to every man as he comes of age to choose what society he will continue to belong to.
- James Otis, The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved
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The power of GOD almighty is the only power that can properly and strictly be called supreme and absolute. In the order of nature immediately under him, comes the power of a simple democracy, or the power of the whole over the whole.
Subordinate to both these, are all other political powers, from that of the French Monarque to a petty constable.
- James Otis, The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved
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One of the most essential branches of English liberty is the freedom of one’s house. A man’s house is his castle.
- James Otis, On the Writs of Assistance, 1761
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There can be no prescription old enough to supersede the Law of Nature and the grant of God Almighty, who has given to all men a natural right to be free, and they have it ordinarily in their power to make themselves so, if they please.
- James Otis, Jr., “The Rights of British Colonies” (1764)
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