Edward Coke Quotes

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.

I think the Duke of Buckingham is the cause of all our miseries, and till the King be informed thereof, we shall never go out with honor, or sit with honor here. That man is the grievance of grievances. Let us set down the causes of all our disasters and they will all reflect upon him.

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.

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.

When poor England stood alone, and had not the access of another kingdom, and yet had more and as potent enemies as now it hath, and yet the King of England prevailed.

Precaution is better than cure.

A man's house is his castle — et domus sua cuique est tutissimum refugium.

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

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'.

The gladsome light of jurisprudence.

Law is the safest helmet.

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.

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

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

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