Literature and Law

By James Constant

Jurisprudence. Philosophy of Law. Uncertainty of Law and Constitutional Government. This book looks at Literature and law: Greek; Roman; English; American;French; German; RussiaN

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Constant
• Release date: Oct 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301577194

James Constant

writes on law, government, mathematics and science, as they are and as they should be

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Literature and Law

By James Constant

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 1993,2013 by James Constant

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Table of Contents

Greek and Roman Literature

English and American Literature

French and German Literature

Russian Literature

LITERATURE AND LAW

In the Old Testament, Deuteronomy, we find the Judean sermon on the law. Thus, hear the causes ... and judge righteously. 1:16 17, If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment come onto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge ... and thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee.., 17:8 13. In I Samuel 8:3 we hear that his sons took bribes and perverted judgment. Isaiah 1:21 2 asks and answers How is the faithful city become an harlot ... I will restore thy judges as at the first ... Elsewhere, Jeremiah 5:26 29 describes wickedness in the state and church and Micah 3:9 12 calls on princes that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. In the New Testament, we find the early Christian view on the law. In Luke the Lord denounces the Pharisee Woe unto you also, ye lawyers, for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers ... Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge ..., 11:46,52, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man, 18:2. In I Corinthians 6:1 9 we are admonished against going to law Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? ... Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

The propensities of judges and lawyers to protract and complicate the procedures of a trial, to multiply and divide the issues, to separate themselves from laymen by a heavy curtain of language, have been satirically noted in the great diatribes against the legal profession.

GREEK AND ROMAN LITERATURE

Herodotus (484?-425? B.C.) tells us that the royal judges of Persia are certain picked men who hold their office for life, or until they are found guilty of some misconduct. They administer justice and are interpreters of the old laws, all disputes being referred to their decision. In one case brought by the king, they found a law that the king of Persia might do whatever he pleased. Book III 31. [466]

Aristophanes (448?-380 B.C.) accuses Socrates as a teacher of unjust words which defeat justice and which make a lawyer

Bold, hasty, and wise, a concocter of lies,

A rattler to speak, a dodger, a sneak,

A regular claw of the tables of law,

A shuffler complete, well-worn in deceit,

A simple, unprincipled, troublesome cheat;

A hang dog accursed, a bore with the worst,

In the tricks of the jury courts thoroughly versed.

Clouds 450 456.

There’s many an honest calling,

Whence men like you can earn a livelihood,

By means more suitable