50+ Lawyer Quotes to Inspire, Amuse, and Challenge
Introduction to Lawyer Quotes
There are many “lawyer quotes” in the world, likely because lawyers are often at the centre of the biggest decisions, toughest battles, and trickiest negotiations we will experience throughout our lifetime. From divorce to crime and business, lawyers work across many intersections of the human experience, meaning at some point we will more than likely consult with one. Due to the intriguing nature of their profession, writers, thinkers, and even comedians have attempted to capture the thought-provoking, ethical, and humorous nature of the legal profession and justice in popular culture. From the profound observations of Abraham Lincoln to the critical musings of Shakespeare, quotes about lawyers can motivate, amuse, and make us think all at once.
Whether you’re the one lawyer in your office who is fortunate enough to have spare time on their hands, a curious client, or someone who just enjoys clever jokes, these famous quotes will give you a fresh perspective on practicing lawyers and the complexities of legal careers.
Witty and Humorous Lawyer Quotes
Let’s start off with some jokes about the legal profession that demonstrate how even the most serious of career paths can become a hilarious punchline!
- “A lawyer with his briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns.” – Mario Puzo
- “A jury consists of twelve persons chosen to decide who has the better lawyer.” – Robert Frost
- “He is no lawyer who cannot take two sides.” – Charles Lamb
- “A lawyer is a person who writes a 10,000-word document and calls it a ‘brief.’” – Franz Kafka
- “A good lawyer knows the law; a clever one takes the judge to lunch.” – Anonymous
- “A lawyer’s job is to protect his clients from others of his own profession.” – Anonymous
- “I busted a mirror and got seven years of bad luck, but my lawyer thinks he can get me five.” – Steven Wright
- “A lawyer will do anything to win a case, sometimes he will even tell the truth.” – Patrick Murray
- “A lawyer is a gentleman who rescues your estate from your enemies and keeps it for himself.” – Henry Brougham
- “The minute you read something you can’t understand, you can be sure it was written by a lawyer.” – Will Rogers
This collection of humorous lawyer quotes highlight the oddities of jury systems and attorneys in the most lighthearted way possible. But when it comes to capturing the profound influence of the legal system on our lives, not all quotes were created equal.
Classic and Inspirational Quotes About Lawyers
Law is about much than just messy stacks of paperwork and heated arguments. The law is concerned with fairness and the endless pursuit of what’s right. Quotes from history’s most influential leaders and thinkers such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Aristotle speak to the deeper purpose and meaning of the law and justice in our lives.
“A lawyer’s time and advice are his stock in trade.” – Abraham Lincoln
“Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbours to compromise whenever you can.” – Abraham Lincoln
“The power of the lawyer is in the uncertainty of the law.” – Jeremy Bentham
“Justice delayed is justice denied.” – William E. Gladstone
“Justice is the constant and perpetual will to allot to every man his due.” – Domitus Ulpianus
“The good lawyer is not the man who has an eye to every side and angle of contingency, and qualifies all his qualifications, but who throws himself on your part so heartily that he can get you out of a scrape.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats.” – Benjamin Franklin
“We live in, sir, a very pleasant world. There are bad people in it, Mr. Richard, but if there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers.” – Charles Dickens
“A lawyer without books would be like a workman without tools.” – Thomas Jefferson
“The law is reason, free from passion.” – Aristotle
These classic lawyer quotes emphasise why the highest law is foundational in society. They also highlight why individuals stand firm in dedicating their lives to a legal career.
Here is one final inspirational quote that shares the purpose of lawyers and the justice system:
“I had learnt the true practice of law. I had learnt to find out the better side of human nature and to enter men’s hearts. I realized the true function of a lawyer was to unite parties riven asunder.” – Mahatma Gandhi.
Ethical and Thought-Provoking Lawyer Quotes
Lawyers carry the heavy burden of protecting individuals while effectively delivering justice in our society. Here are a few lawyer quotes that dig deeper into the industry to help make you think about the past and potential future impact of the law on our lives.
“A lawyer’s either a social engineer or a parasite on society.” – Charles Hamilton Houston
“Lawyers are the foot soldiers of our Constitution.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
“The law is not a ‘light’ for you or any man to see by; the law is not an instrument of any kind. The law is a causeway upon which, so long as he keeps to it, a citizen may walk safely.” – Robert Bolt
“I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.” – Abraham Lincoln
“Where law ends, tyranny begins.” – John Locke
“The first duty of society is justice.” – Alexander Hamilton
These lawyer quotes push us to think beyond only the legal system, but about what role the law has in creating a fair and balanced world. Whether you’re a trial lawyer or an everyday citizen attempting to comprehend the law, these quotes articulate the deeper complexities of the profession.
Pop Culture and Fictional Lawyer Quotes
Lawyers have intrigued the creators and writers of film, television, and literature for centuries. Here are a few of the most iconic lawyer quotes that capture the drama, excitement, and essence of the courtroom experience.
“You can’t handle the truth!” – A Few Good Men
“I’m out of order? You’re out of order! The whole trial is out of order!” – …And Justice for All
“Better call Saul!” – Breaking Bad / Better Call Saul
“Sometimes the law is not enough. And when the law fails you, you fight for justice.” – Daredevil
“The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.” – William Shakespeare, Henry VI
“Lawyers are like rhinoceroses: thick-skinned, short-sighted, and always ready to charge.” – David Mellor
Short, Snappy Lawyer Sayings
Some quotes about lawyers don’t need much to still pack a punch. Here are a few short and sweet popular sayings capturing the importance of the rule of law, the jury system, and justice itself.
“In law, nothing is certain but the expense.” – Samuel Butler
- “Ignorance of the law excuses no man—from practicing it.” – Addison Mizner
- “Justice is truth in action.” – Benjamin Disraeli
- “A lawyer’s word is his bond.” – Anonymous
- “Good lawyers know the law. Great lawyers know the judge.” – Anonymous
- “Law: the only game where the best players get to sit on the bench.” – Anonymous
Lawyer Jokes About Mindfulness and Wellbeing
Despite searching high and low, we were sad to say we couldn’t find any real lawyer quotes about mindfulness or managing work-life balance. This says more about the profession than any quote ever could…
“Looking for lawyer quotes about mindfulness? Good luck finding them!” – ChatGPT
Conclusion
This collection of lawyer quotes, jokes, and insights remind us about how the law isn’t only about obscure statutes and arduous court proceedings. Instead, the law always comes back to the same thing: people. Practitioners of the law aim to find the fine line when balancing the seriousness of justice with the humorous occurrences of human existence.
Whether you’re a lawyer, client, or someone who just loves good quotes, hopefully this collection has made you smile, think, or see the legal profession in a new light.
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