Philosophical Essay on Probabilities (1902)
Context: The theory of chance consists in reducing all the events of the same kind to a certain number of cases equally possible, that is to say, to such as we may be equally undecided about in regard to their existence, and in determining the number of cases favorable to the event whose probability is sought.<!--p.6
“If there can be agreement that certain rights are essential to reduce the chances of perfect injustice, that constitutes the beginning of a solid theory of rights.”
Source: Shouting Fire: Civil liberties in a Turbulent Age (2002), p. 34
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Alan M. Dershowitz 35
American lawyer, author 1938Related quotes
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“Constitutions are intended to preserve practical and substantial rights, not to maintain theories.”
Davis v. Mills, 194 U.S. 451, 457 (1904).
1900s
2011, " America Is Not a Battlefield http://www.libertyforall.net/?p=7002"
Inaugural Address (4 March 1845)
Context: By the theory of our Government majorities rule, but this right is not an arbitrary or unlimited one. It is a right to be exercised in subordination to the Constitution and in conformity to it. One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities from oppressing minorities or encroaching upon their just rights. Minorities have a right to appeal to the Constitution as a shield against such oppression.
“The public can have no rights springing from injustice to others.”
Walker v. Ware, Hadham, &c. Rail. Co. (1866), 12 Jur. (N. S.) 18.
[Unenumerated Rights and the Dictates of Judicial Restraint, Address to the Canadian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies, Stanford University. Palo Alto, California., http://web.archive.org/web/20080627022153/http://www.andrewhyman.com/1986kennedyspeech.pdf, 24 July 1986 to 1 August 1986, 13] (Also quoted at p. 443 of Kennedy's 1987 confirmation transcript http://www.gpoaccess.gov/congress/senate/judiciary/sh100-1037/browse.html).
“I begin by taking. I shall find scholars later to demonstrate my perfect right.”
Attributed
“I begin by taking. I shall find scholars later to demonstrate my perfect right.”
Supposedly in The Suppliants.
Also attributed to Frederick the Great of Prussia.
Disputed