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Quotes about laws

126 quotes from 83 people

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Let the welfare of the people be the ultimate law.
Cicero107–43 BCDe Legibus (On the Laws) (c. 40s BC), Book III, section 3
- Government
The Constitution of the United States was made not merely for the generation that then existed, but for posterity⁠—unlimited, undefined, endless, perpetual posterity.
Henry Clay1777–1852Speech, Senate (29 January 1850)
- America
Every human institution (justice included) will stretch a little, if you only pull it the right way.
Wilkie Collins1824–1889The Moonstone (1868), First Period: The Loss of the Diamond (1848), Chapter XIIn context
- Justice
Guide the people by law, subdue them by punishment; they may shun crime, but will be void of shame. Guide them by example, subdue them by courtesy; they will learn shame, and come to be good.
Confucius551–479 BCAnalects, Chapter II
- Leadership
The real significance of crime is in its being a breach of faith with the community of mankind
Joseph Conrad1857–1924Lord Jim (1900), Chapter 14In context
- Justice
The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
CCConstitutional ConventionThe Constitution of the United States (September 17, 1787), Article IIIn context
- Presidency
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort.
CCConstitutional ConventionThe Constitution of the United States (September 17, 1787), Article IIIIn context
- Enemies
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any state to the Contrary notwithstanding.
CCConstitutional ConventionThe Constitution of the United States (September 17, 1787), Article VIIn context
- Government
I sometimes wish that people would put a little more emphasis on the observance of the law than they do on its enforcement.
Calvin Coolidge1872–1933Address before the Women’s National Committee for Law Enforcement; as quoted in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 87 (1933)
There is no law beyond Do what thou wilt.
Aleister Crowley1875–1947The Book of the Law (1904), III:60
- Freedom
“If the law supposes that,” said Mr. Bumble, squeezing his hat emphatically in both hands, “the law is a ass⁠—a idiot. If that’s the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor; and the worst I wish the law is, that his eye may be opened by experience⁠—by experience.”
Charles Dickens1812–1870Oliver Twist (1838), Chapter LIIn context
- Clever Jabs
The one great principle of the English law is to make business for itself.
Charles Dickens1812–1870Bleak House (1853), Chapter XXXIXIn context
- Clever Jabs
A precedent embalms a principle.
Benjamin Disraeli1804–1881Speech in the House of Commons (22 February 1848)
I believe that to execute a man for murder is to punish him immeasurably more dreadfully than is equivalent to his crime. A murder by sentence is far more dreadful than a murder committed by a criminal.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky1821–1881The Idiot (1869), Part I, Chapter IIIn context
- Justice
If civilization is to survive, it must choose the rule of law.
Dwight D. Eisenhower1890–1969Presidential Statement on the Observation of Law Day (30 April 1958)