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As mathematical and absolute certainty is seldom to be attained in human affairs, reason and public utility require that judges and all mankind in forming their opinions of the truth of facts should be regulated by the superior number of the probabilities on the one side or the other whether the amount of these probabilities be expressed in words and arguments or by figures and numbers.

— William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield

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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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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.