David Josiah Brewer Quotes

Powerful David Josiah Brewer for Daily Growth

About David Josiah Brewer

David Josiah Brewer (1837-1910) was an influential American jurist who served on the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts and made significant contributions to the development of American law. Born in New Hampshire on March 24, 1837, Brewer grew up in a family that valued education and public service. He received his B.A. from Amherst College in 1856 and his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1859. After practicing law in Boston for several years, Brewer was appointed to the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts by Governor George Rubidge in 1872 at the age of just 34. Throughout his tenure on the court, Brewer demonstrated a commitment to interpreting the law fairly and impartially. He was known for his clear, persuasive writing style, and his opinions often reflected a deep understanding of the underlying principles of the law. One of Brewer's most significant contributions to American jurisprudence came in the case of Munn v. Illinois (1877), where he argued that state regulatory bodies could regulate businesses in the public interest, even if they were not state-owned entities. In addition to his work on the Supreme Judicial Court, Brewer was also a prolific author and scholar. He wrote numerous articles on legal topics and authored several books, including "The Law of Torts" (1885) and "A Treatise on the Law of Private Corporations" (1894). Brewer's influence extended beyond Massachusetts and his time on the bench. Many of his opinions were cited by other courts and legal scholars, and he remains an important figure in the history of American law. David Josiah Brewer passed away on September 20, 1910, leaving behind a rich legacy as a jurist, author, and scholar.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Laws are like spiders' webs, which ensnare the weak and let the strong pass through."

This quote by David Josiah Brewer suggests that laws, while intended to uphold justice and protect society, can often unjustly entangle or disadvantage the vulnerable or powerless members of a community, while allowing those with more power or resources to easily navigate around them. It serves as a reminder of the potential for systemic inequality in legal systems, highlighting the need for ongoing reform and vigilance against exploitation.

"The power to tax is the power to destroy."

This quote by David Josiah Brewer suggests that a government's ability to levy taxes, when misused or abused, can ultimately threaten or eliminate the existence of those being taxed, particularly if the rate or method of taxation is excessive, unfair, or not conducive to economic growth and survival. It underscores the importance of balancing fiscal responsibility with fair governance and encourages prudent decision-making in tax policy to promote prosperity rather than stifle it.

"Every man is entitled to be ignorant of law unless his ignorance of it results in injury to himself or someone else."

This quote emphasizes the idea that individuals are allowed to be unaware of the law, but they lose this privilege if their lack of knowledge about the law causes harm to themselves or others. In essence, it suggests that legal knowledge is crucial in protecting oneself and others from potential harm, and ignorance may not always be an acceptable defense when such harm occurs.

"In a free country, it is a rare privilege to serve on a court, and a greater one to serve well."

This quote emphasizes that serving on a court in a free country is a valuable and unique opportunity, not a right or entitlement. The author further suggests that the true privilege lies not merely in holding the position, but in effectively using it to uphold justice and freedom within the society. It underscores the responsibility and significance of those who serve on courts in maintaining the principles of liberty and fairness that define a free country.

"A constitution is not intended to provide a rule for all time, but to secure the liberty and justice of the people for all time."

This quote suggests that constitutions are designed to uphold the liberty and justice of the people, rather than being fixed rules applicable indefinitely. It implies that while the specifics of a constitution may change over time, its core purpose – to safeguard freedom and fairness for all citizens – should remain constant. In essence, it encourages adaptability within constitutional frameworks to accommodate shifting societal needs while preserving the fundamental principles of justice and liberty.

Oratory is the masterful art. Poetry, painting, music, sculpture, architecture please, thrill, inspire - but oratory rules. The orator dominates those who hear him, convinces their reason, controls their judgment, compels their action. For the time being, he is master.

- David Josiah Brewer

Reason, Controls, Masterful, Oratory

Who does not delight in oratory? How we gather to hear even an ordinary speaker! How often is a jury swayed and controlled by the appeals of counsel!

- David Josiah Brewer

Jury, Counsel, Swayed, Oratory

It is a mistake to suppose that the Supreme Court is either honoured or helped by being spoken of as beyond criticism. On the contrary, the life and character of its justices should be the objects of constant watchfulness by all, and its judgments subject to the freest criticism.

- David Josiah Brewer

Constant, Objects, Subject, Honoured

Religion of any form is a sacred matter. It involves the relation of the individual to some Being believed to be infinitely supreme. It involves not merely character and life here, but destiny hereafter, and as such is not to be spoken of lightly or flippantly.

- David Josiah Brewer

Here, Some, Infinitely, Hereafter

The phonograph and kinetoscope may some day seize and perpetuate all save the magnetic touch, but that weird, illusive, indefinable yet wonderfully real power by which the orator subdues may never be caught by science or preserved for the cruel dissecting knife of the critic.

- David Josiah Brewer

Seize, Some, Caught, Perpetuate

Neighbor is no longer confined to the vocabulary of the individual. It is a national word. Modern inventions have annihilated distance. Commercial relations have broken down barriers of race and religion, and the family of nations is a recognized fact.

- David Josiah Brewer

Broken, Commercial, Confined, Relations

The time has passed in the history of the world when anything is too sacred to be touched, when anything is beyond the reach of the inquiring and scientific spear.

- David Josiah Brewer

Reach, Scientific, Touched, Inquiring

It is Mormonism, Mohammedanism and heathenism and not Christianity which have proclaimed polygamy and debased woman from the sacred place of wife to the lower level of concubine. It is not Christianity which has sustained the social evil.

- David Josiah Brewer

Woman, Level, Which, Polygamy

I believe it is conceded that, notwithstanding the fabled blue laws of New England, a man may, without impropriety, kiss his wife on Sunday and possibly, if he have a chance, some other sweet-faced woman.

- David Josiah Brewer

Woman, Some, Other, Possibly

Christianity is entitled to the tribute of respect. I do not of course mean that all individuals, nominally Christian, deserve trust, confidence, or even respect, for the contrary is too often the case. Too often, men hold religion as they do property - in their wives' names.

- David Josiah Brewer

Trust, Entitled, Individuals, Case

The better life rests less on the prohibitions of the Ten Commandments and more on the parable of the Good Samaritan and the Golden Rule.

- David Josiah Brewer

Ten Commandments, More, Rule, Rests

He who is honest in his dealings simply because of the social prestige and position it secures will never develop his higher nature, but will always live along the lower lines.

- David Josiah Brewer

Will, Always, Social, Prestige

A nation may be born in a day, but the great truths which make for the glory and uplift of the race only through long ages permeate and control humanity. We must have the divine patience and understand the divine mathematics of a thousand years as one day.

- David Josiah Brewer

Mathematics, Through, Nation, Uplift

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.