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William Cobbett Quotes

Pamphleteer

William Cobbett (March 9, 1763 - June 18, 1835) was an influential English pamphleteer, writer, and radical. Known for his critical analysis of the political and social issues of his time, Cobbett's work had a profound impact on the social and political landscape of 18th and 19th century Britain.

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Famous William Cobbett Quotes

“You may twist the word freedom as long as you please, but at last it comes to quiet enjoyment of your own property, or it comes to nothing. Why do men want any of those things that are called political rights and privileges? Why do they, for instance, want to vote at elections for members of parliament? Oh! Because they shall then have an influence over the conduct of those members. And of what use is that? Oh! Then they will prevent the members from doing wrong.”

Source: A History of the Protestant Reformation in England and Ireland

“The very hirelings of the press, whose trade it is to buoy up the spirits of the people... have uttered falsehoods so long, they have played off so many tricks, that their budget seems, at last, to be quite empty.”

People Long Seems Lasts Spirit Media Empty Trade Presses Tricks Budgets Falsehood Buoys

Author:William Cobbett

“It is no small mischief to a boy, that many of the best years of his life should be devoted to the learning of what can never be of any real use to any human being. His mind is necessarily rendered frivolous and superficial by the long habit of attaching importance to words instead of things; to sound instead of sense.”

Should Years Mind Humans Long Real Use Sound Human Beings Education Boys Habit Importance Devoted Superficial Mischief Frivolous Best Year

Book:Cobbett's Weekly Political Register

Source: Cobbett's Weekly Political Register