Great cases like hard cases make bad law. For great cases are called great, not by reason of their importance in shaping the law of the future, but because of some accident of immediate overwhelming interest which appeals to the feelings and distorts the judgement.


Northern Securities Co. v. United States, 193 U.S. 197, 400-401 (1904)

Oliver Wendell Holmes Quotes

Great cases like hard cases make bad law. For great cases are called great, not by reason of their importance in shaping the law of the future, but...

Great cases like hard cases make bad law. For great cases are called great, not by reason of their importance in shaping the law of the future, but...

Great cases like hard cases make bad law. For great cases are called great, not by reason of their importance in shaping the law of the future, but...

Great cases like hard cases make bad law. For great cases are called great, not by reason of their importance in shaping the law of the future, but...