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William Blackstone Quotes

Jurist

William Blackstone, a British jurist, was born on July 10, 1723, and died on February 14, 1780. He is a significant figure in the history of British law, known for his systematic compilation and exposition of the common law of England.

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Famous William Blackstone Quotes

“If [the legislature] will positively enact a thing to be done, the judges are not at liberty to reject it, for that were to set the judicial power above that of the legislature, which would be subversive of all government.”

Ifs Done Government Would Be Liberty Judging Rejection Rejects Positively Legislature Judicial Subversive Judicial Power

Author:William Blackstone

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

Government Political Politics Can Do Liberty Principles Kings Constitution Fundamentals Fundamental Principles

Author:William Blackstone

“Herein indeed consists the excellence of the English government, that all parts of it form a mutual check upon each other.”

Government Form Political Politics Excellence Checks Mutual English Government

Book:Commentaries on the Laws of England in Four Books by William Blackstone; Abridged and Adapted to the Present State of the Law by Robert Malcolm Kerr

Source: Commentaries on the Laws of England in Four Books by William Blackstone; Abridged and Adapted to the Present State of the Law by Robert Malcolm Kerr

“In all tyrannical governments the supreme magistracy, or the right both of making and of enforcing the laws, is vested in one and the same man, or one and the same body of men; and wherever these two powers are united together, there can be no public liberty.”

Men Two Body Government Together Law United Liberty Supreme

Author:William Blackstone