“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, although their words are by far the most decisive evidence of what they would have done, they are by no means final.”
Quote by Learned Hand
Author
Learned Hand
Learned Hand was an influential American judge known for his eloquent and thoughtful opinions. He served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 1909 until his death in 1961. Hand's legal reasoning and his commitment to the rule of law have had a lasting impact on American jurisprudence. more
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