The epoch of Customary Law, and of its custody by a privileged order, is a very remarkable one.

- Henry James Sumner Maine

The Roman Code was merely an enunciation in words of the existing customs of the Roman people.

- Henry James Sumner Maine

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 Maine

The Roman jurisprudence has the longest known history of any set of human institutions.

- Henry James Sumner Maine

The ancient codes were doubtless originally suggested by the discovery and diffusion of the art of writing.

- Henry James Sumner Maine

The movement of the progressive societies has hitherto been a movement from Status to Contract.

- Henry James Sumner Maine

Law 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 w…

- Henry James Sumner Maine

The most superficial student of Roman history must be struck by the extraordinary degree in which the fortunes of the republic were affected by the p…

- Henry James Sumner Maine

In spite of overwhelming evidence, it is most difficult for a citizen of western Europe to bring thoroughly home to himself the truth that the civili…

- Henry James Sumner Maine