There is no surer way to misread any document than to read it literally. ... As nearly as we can, we must put ourselves in the place of those who uttered the words, and try to divine how they would… — Learned Hand Copy Share Image
Conservative political opinion in America cleaves to the tradition of the judge as passive interpreter, believing that his absolute loyalty to authoritative law is… — Learned Hand Copy Share Image
When I say that a thing is true, I mean that I cannot help believing it... But...I do not venture to assume that my… — Learned Hand Copy Share Image
'I beseech ye . . . , think that ye may be mistaken.' I should like to have that written over the portals of… — Learned Hand Copy Share Image
If the prosecution of crime is to be conducted with so little regard for that protection which centuries of English law have given to… — Learned Hand Copy Share Image
I beseech ye in the bowels of Christ, think that ye may be mistaken." I should like to have that written over the portals… — Learned Hand Copy Share Image
What seems fair enough against a squalid huckster of bad liquor may take on a different face, if used by government determined to suppress… — Learned Hand Copy Share Image
The spirit of liberty is the spirit of him who, near two thousand years ago, taught mankind that lesson it has never learned ... . — Learned Hand Copy Share Image
I had rather take my chance that some traitors will escape detection than spread abroad a spirit of general suspicion and distrust, which accepts… — Learned Hand Copy Share Image
The successful competitor, having been urged to compete, must not be turned upon when he wins. — Learned Hand Copy Share Image
It is often hard to secure unanimity about the borders of legislative power, but that is much easier than to decide how far a… — Learned Hand Copy Share Image
Each one of us must in the end choose for himself how far he would like to leave our collective fate to the wayward… — Learned Hand Copy Share Image
