Edward Coke Quotes

27 Sourced Quotes

Only this incident inseparable every custom must have, viz., that it be consonant to reason; for how long soever it hath continued, if it be against reason, it is of no force in law.

Edward Coke
The house of every one is to him as his castle and fortress, as well for his defence against injury and violence as for his repose.

Edward Coke
Reason is the life of the law; nay, the common law itself is nothing else but reason.... The law, which is perfection of reason.

Edward Coke
Every libel, which is called famosus libellus, is made either against a private man, or against a public person. If it be against a private man, it deserves a severe punishment.

Edward Coke
For when the law doth give any thing to one, it giveth impliedly whatsoever is necessary for the taking and enjoying of the same.

Edward Coke
There is no jewel in the world comparable to learning; no learning so excellent both for Prince and subject, as knowledge of laws; and no knowledge of any laws so necessary for all estates and for all causes, concerning goods, lands or life, as the common laws of England.

Edward Coke
It is better, saith the law, to suffer a mischief that is peculiar to one, than an inconvenience that may prejudice many.

Edward Coke
And the law, that is the perfection of reason, cannot suffer anything that is inconvenient.

Edward Coke
In the meane time know this, that the learning of warranties is one of the most curious and cunning learnings of the law, and of great use and consequence.

Edward Coke
The agreement of the parties cannot make that good which the law maketh void.

Edward Coke
So as grave and learned men may doubt, without any imputation to them; for the most learned doubteth most, and the more ignorant for the most part are the more bold and peremptory.

Edward Coke
Let us now peruse our ancient authors, for out of the old fields must come the new corn.

Edward Coke
It is the worst oppression, that is done by colour of justice

Edward Coke
There be three kinds of unhappie men. 1. Qui scit & non docet, Hee that hath knowledge and teacheth not. 2. Qui docet & non vivit, He that teacheth, and liveth not thereafter. 3. Qui nescit, & non interrogat, He that knoweth not, and doth not enquire to understand.

Edward Coke
The law compells no man to impossible things. The argument ab impossibili is forcible in law.

Edward Coke
They (corporations) cannot commit treason, nor be outlawed nor excommunicate, for they have no souls.

Edward Coke
Thought the bribe be small, yet the fault is great.

Edward Coke
The Common lawes of the Realme should by no means be delayed for the law is the surest sanctuary, that a man should take, and the strongest fortresse to protect the weakest of all, lex et tutissima cassis.

Edward Coke
For a man's house is his castle, et domus sua cuique est tutissimum refugium [and each man's home is his safest refuge].

Edward Coke
Fraud and deceit abound in these days more than in former times.

Edward Coke
Magna Carta is such a fellow that he will have no sovereign.

Edward Coke
The King himself should be under no man, but under God and the Law.

Edward Coke
The house of everyone is to him as his castle and fortress, as well for his defense against injury and violence as for his repose.

Edward Coke
No man can be a compleat Lawyer by universalitie of knowledge without experience in particular cases, nor by bare experience without universalitie of knowledge; he must be both speculative & active, for the science of the laws, I assure you, must joyne hands with experience.

Edward Coke
Magna Charta is such a fellow that he will have no sovereign.

Edward Coke
A word must become a friend or you will not understand it. Perhaps you do well to be cool and detached when you are seeking information, but I remind you of the wife who complained, 'When I ask John if he loves me, he thinks I am asking for information'.

Edward Coke
Six hours in sleep, in law's grave study six,
Four spend in prayer, the rest on Nature fix.

Edward Coke