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The law would be a strange science if it rested solely upon Cases; and if after so large an increase of Commerce, Arts and Circumstances accruing, we must go to the time of Rich. I. to find a Case and see what is law.

— William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield

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Justice

More quotes by William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield

An estimated value is a precarious measure of justice, compared with the specific thing.

Fisher v. Prince (1762)

A man wants no protection when his conduct is strictly right.

Bird v. Gunston (1785)

No degree of antiquity can give sanction to a usage bad in itself.

The air of England has long been too pure for a slave, and every man is free who breathes it.

God forbid that the defendant should not be allowed the benefit of every advantage he is entitled to by law.

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Attribution

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