Edward Coke
Edward Coke
Sir Edward Coke SL PC, formerly /ˈkuːk/; 1 February 1552 – 3 September 1634) was an English barrister, judge and, later, opposition politician, who is considered to be the greatest jurist of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. Born into a middle-class family, Coke was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, before leaving to study at the Inner Temple, where he was called to the Bar on 20 April 1578. As a barrister he took part in several notable cases, including Slade's Case,...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionBusinessman
Date of Birth1 February 1552
Those who consent to the act and those who do it shall be equally punished.
There is no jewel in the world comparable to learning; no learning so excellent both for Prince and subject, as knowledge of laws; and no knowledge of any laws so necessary for all estates and for all causes, concerning goods, lands or life, as the common laws of England.
Fraud and deceit abound in these days more than in former times.
There be three kinds of unhappie men. 1. Qui scit & non docet, Hee that hath knowledge and teacheth not. 2. Qui docet & non vivit, He that teacheth, and liveth not thereafter. 3. Qui nescit, & non interrogat, He that knoweth not, and doth not enquire to understand.
So as grave and learned men may doubt, without any imputation to them; for the most learned doubteth most, and the more ignorant for the most part are the more bold and peremptory.
In the meane time know this, that the learning of warranties is one of the most curious and cunning learnings of the law, and of great use and consequence.
A word must become a friend or you will not understand it. Perhaps you do well to be cool and detached when you are seeking information, but I remind you of the wife who complained, 'When I ask John if he loves me, he thinks I am asking for information'.
The Common lawes of the Realme should by no means be delayed for the law is the surest sanctuary, that a man should take, and the strongest fortresse to protect the weakest of all, lex et tutissima cassis.
Six hours in sleep, in law's grave study six,Four spend in prayer, the rest on Nature fix.
Though the bribe be small, yet the fault is great.
The home to everyone is to him his castle and fortress, as well for his defence against injury and violence, as for his repose.
We should speak as the populace but think as the learned.
For a man's house is his castle.
Let us now peruse our ancient authors, for out of the old fields must come the new corn.