Principles and Applications

Principle is ever my motto, no expediency.

I don't believe in princerple,
But, oh, I du in interest.

Precedents are not mere dusty phrases, which do not substantially affect the question before us. A precedent embalms a principle. The principle may be right or may be wrong—that is a question for discussion; but at the first glance it is right to conclude that it is a principle that has been acted upon and recognised by those who preceded us.