When I was in law school I was taught that the great…
![“When I was in law school I was taught that the great writers were people like [Oliver Wendell] Holmes Jr. and [Benjamin N.] Cardozo. But you go back and read their prose and it's sort of perfumed and very ornate and show-offy. And they're constantly striving for these abstractions that seem…” quote by Jeffrey Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/9c9/jeffrey-rosen-13180_abstraction_when-i-was-in-law-school-i-was-taught-th_1879201.jpg)
“When I was in law school I was taught that the great writers were people like [Oliver Wendell] Holmes Jr. and [Benjamin N.] Cardozo. But you go back and read their prose and it's sort of perfumed and very ornate and show-offy. And they're constantly striving for these abstractions that seem archaic nowadays.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Legal education often glorifies classic writers whose style feels outdated and overly ornate today.
In simple terms: Classic legal prose feels old-fashioned now.
Key Takeaway
Recognize modern, clear writing.
Themes
law
education
writing
history
style
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- law school essays
- court opinions
- academic publishing
Key Concepts
legal tradition
rhetoric
modernism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can legal writing be both precise and engaging?
- What value does classic style hold today?
A Different Perspective
Modern readers may find such prose inaccessible.