Quote#Politics & Power
If I were master of eloquence I would not make the decision of this…
Quote byLloyd Kenyon, 1st Baron Kenyon · 1732–1802
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Eaton's Case (1793).
English (original)
If I were master of eloquence I would not make the decision of this cause a stage upon which I would display that eloquence. Those things which are very proper for advocates to do, become very improper for the Judge, who has nothing to do, but to state to the jury the short grounds upon which the cause ought to proceed.
— Lloyd Kenyon, 1st Baron Kenyon
More from Lloyd Kenyon, 1st Baron Kenyon
The use of cases is to establish principles; if the cases decide different from the principles, I must follow the principles, not the decisions.
There are certain irregularities which are not the subject of criminal law. But when the criminal law happens to be auxiliary to the law of morality, I do not feel any inclination to explain it away.
Modus in rebus—there must be an end of things.
If people with the very best intentions carry on prosecutions that are oppressive, the end may not always perhaps sanctify the means.
What is clear to one man may be doubtful to another.
It is a rule that those who come into a Court of justice to seek redress, must come with clean hands, and must disclose a transaction warranted by law.