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It is not the function of a Court of justice to enforce or give effect to moral obligations which do not carry with them legal or equitable rights.

— Edward Macnaghten, Baron Macnaghten

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Justice

More quotes by Edward Macnaghten, Baron Macnaghten

To protect those who are not able to protect themselves is a duty which every one owes to society.

Jenoure v. Delmege (1890)

People cannot escape from the obligation of a statute by putting a private interpretation upon its language.

Netherseal Colliery Co. v. Bourne (1889)

It is a public scandal when the law is forced to uphold a dishonest act.

Nordenfelt v. Maxim Nordenfelt Guns and Ammunition Co (1894)

It is for the legislature to alter the law if Parliament in its wisdom thinks an alteration desirable.

"You may not sell the cow and sup the milk."

Quoting an old adage in Nordenfelt v. Maxim Nordenfelt Guns and Ammunition Co (1894)

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If the church ... does not make God's liberation of the oppressed central in its mission and proclamation, how can it rest easy with a condemned criminal as the dominant symbol of its message?

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It is better for a leader to make a mistake in forgiving than to make a mistake in punishing.

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It is the law of life that if you are kind to someone you feel happy. If you are cruel you are unhappy. And if you hurt someone, you will be hurt back.

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Edward Macnaghten, Baron Macnaghten (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.