"Lord Coke's Institutes have had a most extensive and permanent influence on the common law of England. The first part is a commentary upon Littleton's Tenures; and notwithstanding the magnitude of the work, it has reached seventeen editions. Many of the doctrines which his writings explain and illustrate, have become obsolete, or have been swept away by the current of events. The influence of two centuries must inevitably work a great revolution in the laws and usages, as well as in the manners and taste of a nation. Perhaps every thing useful in the Institutes of Coke may be found more methodically arranged, and more interestingly taught, in the modern compilations and digests; yet his authority on all subjects connected with the ancient law, is too great and too venerable to be neglected."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Politicians from EnglandPolitical leadersNon-fiction authors from EnglandLawyers from EnglandJudges from England
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
James Kent, Commentaries on American Law, Volume I (6th ed. 1848), p. 505
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Edward_Coke
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Edward Coke
Sir Edward Coke (1 February 1552 ā 3 September 1634) was an English Judge and jurist and later a politician whose writings on the English common law were definitive legal texts for some 300 years.
41 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Edward Coke ā
Related Quotes
"They (corporations) cannot commit treason, nor be outlawed nor excommunicate, for they have no souls."
"A word must become a friend or you will not understand it. Perhaps you do well to be cool and detached when you are sā¦"
"Fraud and deceit abound in these days more than in former times."
"Every libel, which is called famosus libellus, is made either against a private man, or against a public person. If iā¦"
"Law is the safest helmet."
"When poor England stood alone, and had not the access of another kingdom, and yet had more and as potent enemies as nā¦"
"Magna Charta is such a fellow, that he will have no sovereign."
"Six hours in sleep, in law's grave study six, Four spend in prayer, the rest on Nature fix."
"The gladsome light of jurisprudence."
"The house of every one is to him as his castle and fortress, as well for his defence against injury and violence as fā¦"