The law is a sort of hocus-pocus science, that smiles in…
“The law is a sort of hocus-pocus science, that smiles in yer face while it picks yer pocket; and the glorious uncertainty of it is of mair use to the professors than the justice of it. Hocus was an old cunning attorney. - Dr. John Arbuthnot, History of John Bull, 1712. The words of consecration, "Hoc est corpus," were travestied into a nickname for jugglery, as "Hocus-pocus." - John Richard Green, A Short History of the English People, 1874.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Law appears as a deceptive craft that pretends fairness while extracting resources, often serving scholars more than justice.
In simple terms: Law can seem deceptive and self‑serving.
Key Takeaway
Question the fairness and purpose of legal systems.
Themes
law
justice
deception
scholarship
power
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- courtroom
- policy debates
- academic study
- public protest
Key Concepts
critical theory
legal philosophy
history
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the benefits of law?
- How can law be reformed for fairness?
A Different Perspective
Legal systems also protect rights and maintain order.