John Holt Quotes

A gentleman of Lincoln's-inn.

We ought, as far as we can by law, to support the government of all societies and corporations, especially this of the city of London; and if the mayor and aldermen should not have power to punish offenders in a summary way, then farewell the government of the city.

Shall we relieve a man, that trusts when he needs not?

Rokeby, J.: I do not think but a Popish doctor may be a good doctor to a Protestant patient; but I do not think that a Popish governor can be a good governor for a Protestant subject.
Holt, C.J.: Aye, but a Popish censor is not so proper to supervise and inspect all the Protestant physicians.

I agree we ought not to incroach or inlarge our jurisdiction; by so doing we usurp both on the right of the Queen and the people.

We cannot make a law, we must go according to the law. That must be our rule and direction.

I am far from being such a Judge as shall lay any intolerable yoke upon any one's neck.

It is a vain thing to imagine a right without a remedy; for want of right and want of remedy are reciprocal.

Every man that is injured ought to have his recompence.

Every injury imports a damage, though it does not cost the party one farthing, and it is impossible to prove the contrary; for a damage is not merely pecuniary, but an injury imports a damage, when a man is hereby hindered of his right. As in an action for slanderous words, though a man does not lose a penny by reason of the speaking them, yet he shall have an action. So if a man give another a cuff on the ear, though it cost him nothing, no, not so much as a little diachylon, yet he shall have his action, for it is a personal injury.

We take notice of all feasts, and the almanack is part of the common law, the calendar being established by Act of Parliament, and it is published before the Common-prayer Book.

We are not to issue process here as instruments or conduit-pipes, but judicially as Judges: and it will not be an objection to say, that we may award process at all hazards, and let the party grieved come after and plead to it; for we shall never grant an ill-writ, that the party may avoid it in pleading.

Surely the navy must be the navy royal.

My judgment ought to be given for the plaintiff: but my brothers are all of another opinion, and so I submit to it. The defendant must have his judgment.

No counsel in the world that understand themselves, can argue anything against what has been often settled and always practised.