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John Selden Quotes

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John Selden (December 16, 1584 - November 30, 1654) was an English lawyer, historian, and philosopher. Limited information is available, but he is known for his contributions to the fields of law, history, and philosophy.

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All Men May Ifs Knows Should World Giving Reason Kings Law Religion Wit Firsts Made Pain People Preaching Thinking Wells Book

Famous John Selden Quotes

“Ignorance of the law excuses no man.”

Men Law Ignorance Excuse Lawyer Justice System Funny Lawyer American Law Practicing Law Ignorance Of The Law

Author:John Selden

“Every law is a contract between the king and the people and therefore to be kept.”

People Law Kings Contracts

Author:John Selden

“Equity is a roguish thing. For Law we have a measure, know what to trust to; Equity is according to the conscience of him that is Chancellor, and as that is larger or narrower, so is Equity. 'T is all one as if they should make the standard for the measure we call a "foot" a Chancellor's foot; what an uncertain measure would this be! One Chancellor has a long foot, another a short foot, a third an indifferent foot. 'T is the same thing in the Chancellor's conscience.”

Ifs Knows Should Long Law Feet Standards Conscience Thirds Indifferent Uncertain Equity One Chance

Author:John Selden

“The law against witches does not prove there be any; but it punishes the malice of those people that use such means to take away men's lives.”

People Men Mean Doe Use Law Prove Witch Malice

Book:The table-talk of John Selden, with a biogr. preface and notes by S.W. Singer

Source: The table-talk of John Selden, with a biogr. preface and notes by S.W. Singer

“Ignorance of the law excuses no man; not that all men know the law, but because 'tis an excuse every man will plead, and no man can tell how to refute him.”

Knows Men Law Ignorance Excuse Every Man Ignorance Of The Law

Author:John Selden