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Quote#Wisdom

The major premise of the conclusion expressed in a statute, the…

Quote byOliver Wendell Holmes · 1841–1935

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Johnson v. United States, 163 F. 30 (1st Cir. 1908) (Justice Holmes sitting by designation as a judge of the First Circuit)..

English (original)

The major premise of the conclusion expressed in a statute, the change of policy that induces the enactment, may not be set out in terms, but it is not an adequate discharge of duty for courts to say: We see what you are driving at, but you have not said it, and therefore we shall go on as before.

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

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