Commit Quote by Edward Coke
“Corporations cannot commit treason, nor be outlawed, nor excommunicated, for they have no souls.”
About This Quote
Legal entities lack moral agency; they cannot bear personal guilt or be punished as individuals.
In simple terms: Corporations are not moral persons.
Key Takeaway
Law treats firms as property, not souls.
Themes
law
morality
corporate personhood
justice
ethics
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
maxim
legal observation
When to use this quote
- court rulings
- regulatory debates
- shareholder disputes
- public policy discussions
Key Concepts
jurisprudence
legal fiction
responsibility
Practical Applications
- legal analysis
- policy drafting
Questions to Reflect On
- Can a corporation be held ethically accountable?
- How does personhood affect liability?
