Lawyers, I suppose, were children once.
—Charles Lamb (1775–1834) British Essayist, Poet
Somebody figured it out—we have 35 million laws trying to enforce Ten Commandments.
—Earl Wilson (1907–87) American Broadway Gossip Columnist
The first thing we do, let’s kill the lawyers.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Bad laws are the worst form of tyranny.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
The best laws cannot make a constitution work in spite of morals; morals can turn the worst laws to advantage. That is a commonplace truth, but one to which my studies are always bringing me back. It is the central point in my conception. I see it at the end of all my reflections.
—Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–59) French Historian, Political Scientist
A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
Accuracy and diligence are much more necessary to a lawyer than great comprehension of mind, or brilliancy of talent.—His business is to refine, define, split hairs, look into authorities, and compare cases.—A man can never gallop over the fields of law on Pegasus, nor fly across them on the wing of oratory.—If he would stand on terra firma, he must descend.—If he would be a great lawyer, he must first consent to become a great drudge.
—Daniel Webster (1782–1852) American Statesman, Lawyer
God works wonders now and then: Behold! A lawyer and an honest man.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Lawyers enjoy a little mystery, you know. Why, if everybody came forward and told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth straight out, we should all retire to the workhouse.
—Dorothy L. Sayers (1893–1957) British Crime Writer
I have enforced the law against killing certain animals and many others, but the greatest progress of righteousness among men comes from the exhortation in favor of non-injury to life and abstention from killing living beings.
—Ashoka (c.304–c.232 BCE) Emperor of India
The law was made for one thing alone, for the exploitation of those who don’t understand it, or are prevented by naked misery from obeying it.
—Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956) German Poet, Playwright, Theater Personality
Stubborn men make lawyers.
—Spanish Proverb
All that makes existence valuable to any one depends on the enforcement of restraints upon the actions of other people.
—John Stuart Mill (1806–73) English Philosopher, Economist
A judge is a law student who grades his own papers.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.
—Montesquieu (1689–1755) French Political Philosopher, Jurist
Laws, like houses, lean on one another.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
A country survives its legislation. That truth should not comfort the conservative nor depress the radical. For it means that public policy can enlarge its scope and increase its audacity, can try big experiments without trembling too much over the result. This nation could enter upon the most radical experiments and could afford to fail in them.
—Walter Lippmann (1889–1974) American Journalist, Political Commentator
In one respect at least the Martians are a happy people; they have no lawyers.
—Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950) American Popular Author
I sometimes wish that people would put a little more emphasis on the observance of the law than they do upon its enforcement.
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933) American Head of State, Lawyer
This is a court of law young man, not a court of justice.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935) American Jurist, Author
Only lawyers and painters can turn white to black.
—Japanese Proverb
A jury too often has at least one member more ready to hang the panel than to hang the traitor.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
The good lawyer knows the law; the clever one knows the judge.
—U.S. Proverb
Self-defense is the clearest of all laws, and for this reason: lawyers didn’t make it.
—Douglas William Jerrold (1803–57) English Writer, Dramatist, Wit
I was never ruined but twice; once when I lost a lawsuit and once when I won one.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Lawyers are men who hire out their words and anger.
—Martial (40–104) Ancient Roman Latin Poet
It took man thousands of years to put words down on paper, and his lawyers still wish he wouldn’t.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
All breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away. This is the pure unchangeable law.
—Buddhist Teaching
The priest’s friend loses his faith, the doctor’s his health, and the lawyer’s his fortune.
—Italian Proverb
The United States is the greatest law factory the world has ever known.
—Charles Evans Hughes (1862–1948) American Elected Rep, Judge, Politician, Lawyer, Professor
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