Edward Coke
Edward Coke
Sir Edward Coke SL PC, formerly /ˈkuːk/; 1 February 1552 – 3 September 1634) was an English barrister, judge and, later, opposition politician, who is considered to be the greatest jurist of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. Born into a middle-class family, Coke was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, before leaving to study at the Inner Temple, where he was called to the Bar on 20 April 1578. As a barrister he took part in several notable cases, including Slade's Case,...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionBusinessman
Date of Birth1 February 1552
Edward Coke quotes about
Reason is the life of the law; nay, the common law itself is nothing else but reasonThe law, which is perfection of reason.
The cause ceasing, the effect ceases also
And the law, that is the perfection of reason, cannot suffer anything that is inconvenient.
It is better, saith the law, to suffer a mischief that is peculiar to one, than an inconvenience that may prejudice many.
There must have been good grounds for belief in witchcraft; otherwise Parliament would not have legislated against it.
The Law ... is perfection of reason.
None shall take advantage of his own wrong.
A thing which is not in esse but in apparent expectancy is regarded in law.
Those who consent to the act and those who do it shall be equally punished.
There is no jewel in the world comparable to learning; no learning so excellent both for Prince and subject, as knowledge of laws; and no knowledge of any laws so necessary for all estates and for all causes, concerning goods, lands or life, as the common laws of England.
Fraud and deceit abound in these days more than in former times.
There be three kinds of unhappie men. 1. Qui scit & non docet, Hee that hath knowledge and teacheth not. 2. Qui docet & non vivit, He that teacheth, and liveth not thereafter. 3. Qui nescit, & non interrogat, He that knoweth not, and doth not enquire to understand.
So as grave and learned men may doubt, without any imputation to them; for the most learned doubteth most, and the more ignorant for the most part are the more bold and peremptory.
In the meane time know this, that the learning of warranties is one of the most curious and cunning learnings of the law, and of great use and consequence.