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When a general principle for the construction of an instrument is once laid down, the Court will not be restrained from making their own application of that principle, because there are cases in which it may have been applied in a different manner.

— John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon

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More quotes by John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon

I always thought it better to allow myself to doubt before I decided, than to expose myself to the misery, after I had decided, of doubting whether I had decided rightly and justly.

It is better that the law should be certain than that every judge should speculate upon improvements in it.

Where a person interposes his interest and good offices to procure a pardon, it ought to be done gratuitously and not for money.

Your lordships must look hardships in the face rather than break down the rules of law.

Where there is a decision precisely in point, it is better to follow it.

Townley v. Bedwell (1808)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.