The law of heaven and earth is life for life.

The law of heaven and earth is life for life.

Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good
or for ill, it teaches the whole people by read more

Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good
or for ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Crime is
contagious. If the government becomes a law-breaker, it breeds
contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto
himself; it invites anarchy.

The law is not a "light" for you or any man to see by; the law is not an instrument read more

The law is not a "light" for you or any man to see by; the law is not an instrument of any kind. The law is a causeway upon which so long as he keeps to it a citizen may walk safely.

A good parson once said that where mystery begins religion ends.
Cannot I say, as truly at least, of read more

A good parson once said that where mystery begins religion ends.
Cannot I say, as truly at least, of human laws, that where
mystery begins, justice ends?

It is the trade of lawyers to question everything, yield nothing, and to talk by the hour.

It is the trade of lawyers to question everything, yield nothing, and to talk by the hour.

…a few philosophers really do important work. This applies to the so called ‘critical philosophy’ and to the theory of read more

…a few philosophers really do important work. This applies to the so called ‘critical philosophy’ and to the theory of knowledge or epistemology. This class of workers I call epistemologists to avoid the disagreeable implications of the term ‘philosopher’.

Because just as good morals, if they are to be maintained, have need of the laws, so the laws, if read more

Because just as good morals, if they are to be maintained, have need of the laws, so the laws, if they are to be observed, have need of good morals.

Is not the winding up witnesses,
And nicking, more than half the bus'ness?
For witnesses, like watches, read more

Is not the winding up witnesses,
And nicking, more than half the bus'ness?
For witnesses, like watches, go
Just as they're set, too fast or slow;
And where in Conscience they're strait-lac'd,
'Tis ten to one that side is cast.

The United States is a nation of laws: badly written and randomly enforced.

The United States is a nation of laws: badly written and randomly enforced.