On
the inevitability of problems:
“In a
civilised society, law is the chimney through which all that smoke discharges
itself that used to circulate through the whole house, and put everyone’s eyes
out – no wonder, therefore, that the vent itself should sometimes get a little
sooty.”

Sir Walter Scott, writing in “Guy Mannering”
seems to be offering lawyers an excuse! Scott was originally a lawyer by
profession.

On the advantage of
locality:
“I dinna ken muckle about the
law,” answered Mrs Howden; “but I ken, when we had a king, and a chancellor, and
parliament-men o’ our ain, we could aye peeble them wi’ stanes when they werena
gude bairns – Bit naebody’s nails can reach the length o’
Lunnon.”

From “The Heart of Midlothian” by Sir Walter
Scott, in 1818.