In the habits of legal men every accusation appears insufficient if they do not exaggerate it even to calumny. It is thus that justice itself loses its sanctity and its respect among men.
—Alphonse de Lamartine (1790–1869) French Poet, Politician, Historian
A jury consists of twelve persons chosen to decide who has the better lawyer.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
Laws are like sausages. It is better not to see them being made.
—Otto von Bismarck (1815–98) Prussian German- Political leader, Nationalist
Petty laws breed great crimes.
—Ouida (Maria Louise Rame) (1839–1908) English Children’s Books Writer, Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist
This is a court of law young man, not a court of justice.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935) American Jurist, Author
A priest sees people at their best, a lawyer at their worst, but a doctor sees them as they really are.
—Common Proverb
Time is money, especially when you are talking to a lawyer or buying a commercial.
—Frank Lane (1896–1981) American Sportsperson, Businessperson
To some lawyers, all facts are created equal.
—Felix Frankfurter (1882–1965) American Judge
We may not all break the Ten Commandments, but we are certainly all capable of it. Within us lurks the breaker of all laws, ready to spring out at the first real opportunity.
—Isadora Duncan (1877–1927) American Dancer, Choreographer
A lawyer’s opinion is worth nothing unless paid for.
—Common Proverb
I was never ruined but twice; once when I lost a lawsuit and once when I won one.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
It is impossible for us to break the law. We can only break ourselves against the law.
—Cecil B. DeMille (1881–1959) American Film Producer, Film Director, Screenwriter, Actor
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
It is difficult to make our material condition better by the best law, but it is easy enough to ruin it by bad laws.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
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 Novelist, Playwright, Essayist, Translator, Poet
Courts of law, and all the paraphernalia and folly of law cannot be found in a rational state of society.
—Robert Owen (1771–1858) British Social Reformer, Philosopher
When men are pure, laws are useless; when men are corrupt, laws are broken.
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) British Head of State
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
I know of no method to secure the repeal of bad or obnoxious laws so effective as their strict execution.
—Ulysses S. Grant (1822–85) American Head of State, Military Leader