When primitive law has once been embodied in a Code, there is an end to what may be called its spontaneous development.
Henry James Sumner MaineThe ancient codes were doubtless originally suggested by the discovery and diffusion of the art of writing.
Henry James Sumner MaineLaw is stable the societies we are speaking of are progressive. The greater or less happiness of a people depends on the degree of promptitude with which the gulf is narrowed.
Henry James Sumner MaineIt is true that the aristocracies seem to have abused their monopoly of legal knowledge and at all events their exclusive possession of the law was a formidable impediment to the success of those popular movements which began to be universal in the western world.
Henry James Sumner Maine