Entitled Quote by Henry Clay
“Precedents deliberately established by wise men are entitled to great weight. They are evidence of truth, but only evidence...But a solitary precedent...which has never been reexamined, cannot be conclusive.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Congressional Address, Henry Clay, 1832
Wise precedents carry weight, but solitary, unexamined precedents lack conclusiveness.
In simple terms: Precedents matter, but need scrutiny.
Key Takeaway
Question and verify established norms.
Themes
law
history
decisionmaking
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- legal arguments
- policy formation
- academic research
- business strategy
Key Concepts
precedent theory
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- When should a tradition be challenged?
- How to balance respect for precedent with innovation?
A Different Perspective
Relying solely on tradition may ignore new evidence.
