--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Law ... is perfection of reason." description: "\"The Law ... is perfection of reason.\" — Edward Coke" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/752/edward-coke-11376_excellence_the-law-is-perfection-of-reason-1791966_1791966.png" --- # The Law ... is perfection of reason. ![“The Law ... is perfection of reason.” quote by Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/752/edward-coke-11376_excellence_the-law-is-perfection-of-reason-1791966_1791966.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/752/edward-coke-11376_excellence_the-law-is-perfection-of-reason-1791966_1791966.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/752/edward-coke-11376_excellence_the-law-is-perfection-of-reason-1791966_1791966.png) > “The Law ... is perfection of reason.” [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reason seeks perfection, guiding law toward ideal justice. **In simple terms:** Reason aims for perfect law. Key Takeaway Strive for rational fairness in decisions. Themes law reason perfection Mood analytical serious Type legal philosophical When to use this quote - court rulings - policy drafting - ethical debates Key Concepts jurisprudence natural law Questions to Reflect On - Can law ever be truly perfect? - How does reason balance with compassion? A Different Perspective Perfect reason is often unattainable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laws/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) ## Related quotes > [And the law, that is the perfection of reason, cannot suffer anything that is inconvenient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/and-the-law-that-is-the-perfection-of-reason-cannot-suffer-anything/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [Reason is the life of the law; nay, the common law itself is nothing else but reasonThe law, which is perfection of reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/reason-is-the-life-of-the-law-nay-the-common-law-itself-is-nothing/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [Discretion is the perfection of reason, and a guide to us in all the duties of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/discretion-is-the-perfection-of-reason-and-a-guide-to-us-in-all-the-3/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Abstaining so as really to enjoy, is the epicurism, the very perfection, of reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/abstaining-so-as-really-to-enjoy-is-the-epicurism-the-very-perfection/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [Discretion is the perfection of reason, and a guide to us in all the duties of life. It is only found in men of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/discretion-is-the-perfection-of-reason-and-a-guide-to-us-in-all-the/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [Perfection is no more a requisite to art than to heroes. Frigidaires are perfect. Beauty limps. My frigidaire has had to be replaced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-rorem/perfection-is-no-more-a-requisite-to-art-than-to-heroes-frigidaires/) [Ned Rorem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-rorem/) > [Were I to await perfection, my book would never be finished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/were-i-to-await-perfection-my-book-would-never-be-finished/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I find beauty in imperfection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-morrison/i-find-beauty-in-imperfection/) [Rachel Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-morrison/) > [The perfection in theater is that it's over the second it's done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hurt/the-perfection-in-theater-is-that-it-s-over-the-second-it-s-done/) [William Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hurt/) > [In the eyes of those lovers of perfection, a work is never finished a word that for them has no sense but abandoned; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-valery/in-the-eyes-of-those-lovers-of-perfection-a-work-is-never-finished-a/) [Paul Valery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-valery/) > [“Seek excellence not perfection, that alone is a perfect choice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-chirisa/seek-excellence-not-perfection-that-alone-is-a-perfect-choice/) [Wayne Chirisa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-chirisa/) > [Happiness consists in always aspiring perfection, the pause in any level in perfection is the pause of happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/happiness-consists-in-always-aspiring-perfection-the-pause-in-any/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Life is too short to look for perfection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-t-geissinger/life-is-too-short-to-look-for-perfection/) [J.T. Geissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-t-geissinger/) > [The pursuit of perfection is frustrating and a waste of time, because nothing is ever perfect. The pursuit of excellence is commendable and worthwhile.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-kulwicki/the-pursuit-of-perfection-is-frustrating-and-a-waste-of-time-because/) [Alan Kulwicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-kulwicki/) > [Imperfections are what make you perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-tell/imperfections-are-what-make-you-perfect/) [Nia Tellé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-tell/) ## More by Edward Coke > [Force ought to follow justice and not to precede.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/force-ought-to-follow-justice-and-not-to-precede/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [Corporations cannot commit treason, nor be outlawed, nor excommunicated, for they have no souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/corporations-cannot-commit-treason-nor-be-outlawed-nor-excommunicated/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [Everyone thirsteth after gaine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/everyone-thirsteth-after-gaine/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [A corporation has no soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/a-corporation-has-no-soul/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [The agreement of the parties cannot make that good which the law maketh void.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/the-agreement-of-the-parties-cannot-make-that-good-which-the-law/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [He is not cheated who knows he is being cheated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/he-is-not-cheated-who-knows-he-is-being-cheated/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [The house of every one is to him as his castle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/the-house-of-every-one-is-to-him-as-his-castle/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [The King himself should be under no man, but under God and the Law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/the-king-himself-should-be-under-no-man-but-under-god-and-the-law/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [It is better, saith the law, to suffer a mischief that is peculiar to one, than an inconvenience that may prejudice many.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/it-is-better-saith-the-law-to-suffer-a-mischief-that-is-peculiar-to/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [We have a saying in the House of Commons; that old ways are the safest and surest ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/we-have-a-saying-in-the-house-of-commons-that-old-ways-are-the-safest/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [Success in crime always invites to worse deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/success-in-crime-always-invites-to-worse-deeds/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [For when the law doth give any thing to one, it giveth impliedly whatsoever is necessary for the taking and enjoying of the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/for-when-the-law-doth-give-any-thing-to-one-it-giveth-impliedly/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [Things are worth what they will fetch at a sale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/things-are-worth-what-they-will-fetch-at-a-sale/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [The Common lawes of the Realme should by no means be delayed for the law is the surest sanctuary, that a man should take,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/the-common-lawes-of-the-realme-should-by-no-means-be-delayed-for-the/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [The cause ceasing, the effect ceases also](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/the-cause-ceasing-the-effect-ceases-also/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) [Explore all 60 Edward Coke quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) ## More Excellence quotes > [Imperfections are what make you perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-tell/imperfections-are-what-make-you-perfect/) [Nia Tellé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-tell/) > [The pursuit of perfection is frustrating and a waste of time, because nothing is ever perfect. The pursuit of excellence is commendable and worthwhile.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-kulwicki/the-pursuit-of-perfection-is-frustrating-and-a-waste-of-time-because/) [Alan Kulwicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-kulwicki/) > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [You learn a lot from quality players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/you-learn-a-lot-from-quality-players/) [Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [“In your goals to go the extra mile, prepare to pay an extra cost. 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