There is something monstrous in commands couched in invented and unfamiliar language; an alien master is the worst of all. The language of the law must not be foreign to the ears of those who are to obey it. Learned Hand More Quotes by Learned Hand More Quotes From Learned Hand Right knows no boundaries, and justice no frontiers; the brotherhood of man is not a domestic institution. Learned Hand brotherhood-of-man justice men Since we are men, we will play the part of Man. Learned Hand play men A government of laws without men is as visionary as a government of men without laws. Learned Hand government law men For, when all is said, as my friend George Rublee likes to put it, the only success is to be a success as a person; and it is still not too late for that. Learned Hand likes said too-late You cannot raise the standard against oppression, or leap into the breach to relieve injustice, and still keep an open mind to every disconcerting fact, or an open ear to the cold voice of doubt. I am satisfied that a scholar who tries to combine these parts sells his birthright for a mess of pottage; that, when the final count is made, it will be found that the impairment of his powers far outweighs any possible contribution to the causes he has espoused. Learned Hand voice doubt mind Life is made up of a series of judgments on insufficient data, and if we waited to run down all our doubts, it would flow past us. Learned Hand data running past The art of publicity is a black art. Learned Hand publicity black art What seems fair enough against a squalid huckster of bad liquor may take on a different face, if used by a government determined to suppress political opposition under the guise of sedition. Learned Hand different-faces political government It is often hard to secure unanimity about the borders of legislative power, but that is much easier than to decide how far a particular adjustment diverges from what the judges deem tolerable. On such issues experience has over and over again shown the difficulty of securing unanimity. This is disastrous because disunity cancels the impact of monolithic solidarity on which the authority of a bench of judges so largely depends. Learned Hand impact issues judging If the prosecution of crime is to be conducted with so little regard for that protection which centuries of English law have given to the individual, we are indeed at the dawn of a new era; and much that we have deemed vital to our liberties, is a delusion. Learned Hand liberty law littles It is enough that we set out to mold the motley stuff of life into some form of our own choosing; when we do, the performance is itself the wage. Learned Hand mold success life Life is not a thing of knowing only--nay, mere knowledge has properly no place at all save as it becomes the handmaiden of feeling and emotions. Learned Hand knowing feelings knowledge There is no fury like that against one who, we fear, may succeed in making us disloyal to beliefs we hold with passion, but have not really won. Learned Hand passion anger may I often wonder whether we do not rest our hopes too much upon constitutions, upon laws and upon courts. These are false hopes believe me, these are false hopes. Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it... Learned Hand There is no surer way to misread any document than to read it literally. As nearly as we can, we must put ourselves in the place of those who uttered the words, and try to divine how they would have dealt with the unforeseen situation; and, evidence of what they would have done, they are by no means final. Learned Hand It lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it. While it lies there, it needs no constitution, no law, no court to save it. Learned Hand constitution women law men If we are to keep democracy, there must be a commandment: Thou shalt not ration justice. Learned Hand keep must democracy justice The art of publicity is a black art; but it has come to stay, and every year adds to its potency. Learned Hand stay year black art
