WIST Quotations

Roosevelt, Theodore -- Speech (1903-09-07), “The Square Deal,” Labor Day, New York State Agricultural Association, New York State Fair, Syracuse

Dave — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 19:50:33 +0000

We must keep ever in mind that a republic such as ours can exist only by virtue of the orderly liberty which comes through the equal domination of the law over all men alike, and through its administration in such resolute and fearless fashion as shall teach all that no man is above it and no man below it.

Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American politician, statesman, conservationist, writer, US President (1901–1909)
Speech (1903-09-07), “The Square Deal,” Labor Day, New York State Agricultural Association, New York State Fair, Syracuse
(Source)

Mencken, H. L. -- “On Government,” Prejudices: Fourth Series (1924)

Dave — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 16:01:41 +0000

The Bill of Rights was designed trustfully to prohibit forever two of the favorite crimes of all known governments: the seizure of private property without adequate compensation and the invasion of the citizen’s liberty without justifiable cause and due process.

H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American writer and journalist [Henry Lewis Mencken]
“On Government,” Prejudices: Fourth Series (1924)

Bok, Derek -- Report to Harvard Board of Overseers (21 Apr 1983)

Dave — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:23:14 +0000

There is far too much law for those who can afford it and far too little for those who cannot.

Derek Bok (b. 1930) American lawyer, educator
Report to Harvard Board of Overseers (21 Apr 1983)

Hand, Learned -- Speech, Legal Aid Society of New York (1951-02-16)

Dave — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:29:39 +0000

If we are to keep our democracy, there must be one commandment: Thou shalt not ration justice.

Learned Hand (1872–1961) American jurist
Speech, Legal Aid Society of New York (1951-02-16)
(Source)

On ensuring that accused persons did not lack for counsel needed for a fair trial.

Frankfurter, Felix -- McNabb v. United States (1943)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

The history of liberty is the history of the observances of procedural safeguards.

Felix Frankfurter (1882–1965) US Supreme Court Justice, jurist and teacher
McNabb v. United States (1943)

Bolt, Robert -- A Man for All Seasons, play, Act 1 (1960)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

ROPER: So, now you’d give the Devil the benefit of law!

MORE: Yes! What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?

ROPER: Yes, I’d cut down every law in England to do that!

MORE: Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned ’round on you — where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast — Man’s laws, not God’s — and if you cut them down — and you’re just the man to do it — d’you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I’d give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety’s sake.

Robert Bolt (1924–1995) English dramatist
A Man for All Seasons, play, Act 1 (1960)
(Source)

Bolt's 1966 film adaptation uses the same language, with slightly variant punctuation. As well, the film ends the scene here, where the play continues with further dialog. (Source (Video); dialog verified.)