John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon

British barrister and politician, born 1751

John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon (4 June 175113 January 1838) was Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain from 1801 to 1806 and from 1807 to 1827.

I always thought it better to allow myself to doubt before I decided, than to expose myself to the misery, after I had decided, of doubting whether I had decided rightly and justly.

Quotes

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  • It is better that the law should be certain than that every judge should speculate upon improvements in it.
    • Sheldon v. Goodrich, 8 Ves. 481, 497 (1803)
  • I always thought it better to allow myself to doubt before I decided, than to expose myself to the misery, after I had decided, of doubting whether I had decided rightly and justly.
    • In Horace Twiss, The Public and Private Life of Lord Chancellor Eldon (1844), p. 350

Quotes about Lord Eldon

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  • I was with you, Mr. Scott — till I heard your argument.
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