Sir Edward Coke. 1549-1634.
The gladsome light of jurisprudence.
First Institute.
Reason is the life of the law; nay, the common law itself is nothing else but reason.... The law, which is perfection of reason.[24:1]
First Institute.
For a man's house is his castle, et domus sua cuique tutissimum refugium.[24:2]
Third Institute. Page 162.
The house of every one is to him as his castle and fortress, as well for his defence against injury and violence as for his repose.
Semayne's Case, 5 Rep. 91.
They (corporations) cannot commit treason, nor be outlawed nor excommunicate, for they have no souls.
Case of Sutton's Hospital, 10 Rep. 32.
Magna Charta is such a fellow that he will have no sovereign.
Debate in the Commons, May 17, 1628.
Six hours in sleep, in law's grave study six,
Four spend in prayer, the rest on Nature fix.[24:3]
Translation of lines quoted by Coke.
Footnotes
[24:1] Let us consider the reason of the case. For nothing is law that is not reason.—Sir John Powell: Coggs vs. Bernard, 2 Ld. Raym. Rep. p. 911.
[24:2] Pandects, lib. ii. tit. iv. De in Jus vocando.
[24:3]
Seven hours to law, to soothing slumber seven;
Ten to the world allot, and all to heaven.
Sir William Jones.