Quotes
Quotes about Law
The most favourable laws can do very little towards the happiness of people when the disposition of the ruling power is adverse to them.
Referendum, n. A law for submission of proposed legislation to a popular vote to learn the nonsensus of public opinion.
Hofstadter's Law: It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter's Law.
If...the machine of government...is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law.
Conceal a flaw, and the world will imagine the worst.
Appeal, v.t. In law, to put the dice into the box for another throw.
Pray, v. To ask the laws of the universe to be annulled on behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy.
Men are men before they are lawyers, or physicians, or merchants, or manufacturers; and if you make them capable and sensible men, they will make themselves capable and sensible lawyers or physicians.
A multitude of laws in a country is like a great number of physicians, a sign of weakness and malady.
Laws are the spider's webs which, if anything small falls into them they ensnare it, but large things break through and escape.
So act that your principle of action might safely be made a law for the whole world.
Nothing that grieves us can be called little: by the eternal laws of proportion a child's loss of a doll and a king's loss of a crown are events of the same size.
In all of us, even in good men, there is a lawless wild-beast nature, which peers out in sleep.
At least half the mystery novels published violate the law that the solution, once revealed, must seem to be inevitable.
Brasington's Ninth Law: A carelessly planned project takes three times longer to complete than expected; a carefully planned one will take only twice as long.
Permit me to issue and control the money of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws.
Our wanton accidents take root, and grow To vaunt themselves God's laws.
Farce follow'd Comedy, and reach'd her prime. In ever-laughing Foote's fantastic time; Mad wag! who pardon'd none, nor spared the best, And turn'd some very serious things to jest. Nor church nor state escaped his public sneers, Arms nor the gown, priests, lawyers, volunteers; "Alas, poor Yorick!" now forever mute! Whoever loves a laugh must sigh for Foote. We smile, perforce, when histrionic scenes Ape the swoln dialogue of kings and queens, When "Chrononhotonthelogos must die," And Arthur struts in mimic majesty.
The drama's laws, the drama's patrons give. For we that live to please, must please to live.
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
It has to be displayed, this face, on a more or less horizontal plane. Imagine a man wearing a mask, and imagine that the elastic which holds the mask on has just broken, so that the man (rather than let the mask slip off) has to tilt his head back and balance the mask on his real face. This is the kind of tyranny which Lawson's face exerts over the rest of his body as he cruises along the corridors. He doesn't look down his nose at you, he looks along his nose.
The Apes and the Two Travelers TWO MEN, one who always spoke the truth and the other who told nothing but lies, were traveling together and by chance came to the land of Apes. One of the Apes, who had raised himself to be king, commanded them to be seized and brought before him, that he might know what was said of him among men. He ordered at the same time that all the Apes be arranged in a long row on his right hand and on his left, and that a throne be placed for him, as was the custom among men. After these preparations he signified that the two men should be brought before him, and greeted them with this salutation: What sort of a king do I seem to you to be, O strangers?' The Lying Traveler replied, You seem to me a most mighty king. And what is your estimate of those you see around me?' These, he made answer, are worthy companions of yourself, fit at least to be ambassadors and leaders of armies. The Ape and all his court, gratified with the lie, commanded that a handsome present be given to the flatterer. On this the truthful Traveler thought to himself, If so great a reward be given for a lie, with what gift may not I be rewarded, if, according to my custom, I tell the truth?' The Ape quickly turned to him. And pray how do I and these my friends around me seem to you?' Thou art, he said, a most excellent Ape, and all these thy companions after thy example are excellent Apes too. The King of the Apes, enraged at hearing these truths, gave him over to the teeth and claws of his companions.
The Lion in Love A lion demanded the daughter of a woodcutter in marriage. The Father, unwilling to grant, and yet afraid to refuse his request, hit upon this expedient to rid himself of his importunities. He expressed his willingness to accept the Lion as the suitor of his daughter on one condition: that he should allow him to extract his teeth, and cut off his claws, as his daughter was fearfully afraid of both. The Lion cheerfully assented to the proposal. But when the toothless, clawless Lion returned to repeat his request, the Woodman, no longer afraid, set upon him with his club, and drove him away into the forest.
Weak withering age no rigid law forbids. With frugal nectar, smooth and slow with balm, The sapless habit daily to bedew, And give the hesitating wheels of life Gliblier to play.
Agitation is the marshalling of the conscience of a nation to mold its laws.
