Every year, if not every day, we have to wager our salvation upon some prophecy based upon imperfect knowledge. - Oliver Wendell Holmes

The rational study of law is still to a large extent the study of history. History must be a part of the study, because without it we cannot know the precise scope of rules which it is our business to know.

The first requirement of a sound body of law is, that it should correspond with the actual feelings and demands of the community, whether right or wrong.

The character of every act depends upon the circumstances in which it is done.