Court Quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr
“This is a court of law, not a court of justice.”
About This Quote
Source Supreme Court opinion, 1886
Legal rulings must follow law, not personal notions of justice.
In simple terms: Law vs. justice distinction.
Uphold legal standards.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- court decisions
- legislative drafting
- public policy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When should judges consider equity?
- Can law evolve with societal values?
Rigid law may ignore moral nuance.