Authority Quote by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
“We must follow the old authorities and precedents in criminal matters.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner", 1798
Legal decisions should respect established precedent to ensure consistency and fairness
In simple terms: Follow existing law to maintain order
Key Takeaway
Respect tradition in judicial reasoning
Themes
law
precedent
stability
authority
Mood
analytical
serious
inquisitive
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- court rulings
- legislative drafting
- policy formation
- academic law studies
Key Concepts
jurisprudence
legal theory
institutional memory
Questions to Reflect On
- When should precedent be challenged?
- How to balance tradition with evolving societal values?
A Different Perspective
Rigid adherence may hinder necessary reform
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)
