Legal Brief for August, 2020

Comments On The Law

Many observers and participants in the legal world, and beyond, have shared their views on legal matters over the years.  William Shakespeare for example was a prolific writer of comments on matters legal in his plays.  One of his best known lines was in Henry VI, Part 2, Act IV, Scene 2 when he has the character Dick The Butcher exclaim, "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers."  This line has often been viewed as a commentary on the social utility, or lack thereof, of the legal profession.  In fact, when the narrative of the play is viewed as a whole, the line was uttered as a recognition that “the lawyers” were an impediment to the malicious plans of Dick and his fellow conspirators, and that they needed to eliminate the lawyers in order to succeed in their plotting.

Here are some other interesting observations on "the law" made over the years by a variety of commentators:

"Wherever Law ends, Tyranny begins."  (John Locke, a 17th century English philosopher, known as "the father of liberalism".)

"It is far better that ten guilty persons escape than one innocent suffer."  (Sir William Blackstone, a distinguished 18th century English judge and politician.)

"The law is the last result of human wisdom acting upon human experience for the benefit of the public."  (Samuel Johnson, a noted 18th century English playwright and essayist.)

"Let justice be done though heaven should fall."  (Lucius Calpurnius, a Roman Senator and the father-in-law of Julius Caesar.)

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."  (Martin Luther King, Jr., a famed African-American civil rights leader of the 1950's and 1960's.)

"Justice is truth in action."  (Benjamin Disraeli, a two time Prime Minister of Great Britain during the 19th century.)

"In a free society the state does not administer the affairs of men.  It administers justice among men who conduct their own affairs."  (Walter Lippman, a prominent 20th century American reporter and political commentator, who coined the phrase "cold war" in 1947.)

These quotations were taken from an interesting little book titled The Lawyer's Quotation Book - A Legal Companion, 1991 by John Reay-Smith) that I picked up while on holidays one summer in the United States.  With usual vacation plans derailed this year because of the Covid 19 pandemic it is anyone's guess when we will be able to resume such pleasant summertime experiences.  In the meantime, I hope you are having some enjoyable moments this summer, and best wishes for your health and safety during these difficult times.