Henry James Sumner Maine Quotes

A collection of quotes by Henry James Sumner Maine.

Henry James Sumner Maine (1822-1888) was a British jurist and legal historian. Born in Kelso, Scotland, he studied at Christ's College, Cambridge, and later became a professor of civil law at the University of Cambridge. Maine is best known for his influential works on legal systems, including "Ancient Law" (1861) and "The Evolution of Law" (1883). He played a significant role in the development of comparative law and his ideas on legal evolution and social progress greatly influenced legal and political thought. Maine's contributions to the field of law continue to be widely studied and discussed today.

Our authorities leave us no doubt that the trust lodged with

Our authorities leave us no doubt that the trust lodged with the oligarchy was sometimes abused, but it certainly ought not to be regarded as a mere usurpation or engine of tyranny.

Henry James Sumner Maine

In spite of overwhelming evidence, it is most difficult for

In spite of overwhelming evidence, it is most difficult for a citizen of western Europe to bring thoroughly home to himself the truth that the civilisation which surrounds him is a rare exception in the history of the world.

Henry James Sumner Maine

Truth Home History

Law is stable the societies we are speaking of are progressi

Law is stable the societies we are speaking of are progressive. The greater or less happiness of a people depends on the degree of promptitude with which the gulf is narrowed.

Henry James Sumner Maine

It is true that the aristocracies seem to have abused their

It is true that the aristocracies seem to have abused their monopoly of legal knowledge and at all events their exclusive possession of the law was a formidable impediment to the success of those popular movements which began to be universal in the western world.

Henry James Sumner Maine