William Blackstone

“To bereave a man of life...without accusation or trial, would be so gross and notorious an act of despotism.”

“It is better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer.”

“The law of nature is a paramount law. No human laws are of any validity if contrary to this.”

“The public good is in nothing more essentially interested, than in the protection of every individual's private rights.”

“Self-defense is the primary law of nature.”

“The liberty of the press is indeed essential to the nature of a free state.”

“Man...must necessarily be subject to the laws of his Creator, for he is entirely a dependent being.”

“Law, in its most general and comprehensive sense, signifies a rule of action.”

“That the king can do no wrong is a necessary and fundamental principle of the English constitution.”

“The primary and principal objects of the law are rights and wrongs.”

“This law of nature, being co-eval with mankind and dictated by God himself, is of course superior in obligation to any other.”

“The husband and wife are one person in law.”

“Ignorance of the law excuses no man.”

“Every man's house is his castle.”

“The law is the embodiment of the moral sentiment of the people.”

“Common law is the accumulated wisdom of many generations.”