Justinian I

Our greatest desire is to restore the Roman Empire to its ancient glory.

Justice is the constant and perpetual wish to render everyone his due.

The precepts of the law are these: to live honestly, to injure no one, and to give everyone his due.

What pleases the prince has the force of law.

The Emperor is the living law.

We have taken care to compile the whole of the Roman law into one book.

The safety of the state depends on the strength of its laws.

It is not by arms alone that empires are preserved, but by laws.

The law is a rule of right and wrong.

We have found it necessary to correct the ancient laws, which were so confused and contradictory.

The Roman Empire, which has been restored to its ancient glory, will endure for all time.

The whole world is subject to our laws.

We have undertaken this great work for the benefit of all mankind.

The law is the art of the good and the equitable.

Let no one dare to interpret our laws in any other way than we have prescribed.

The Emperor is the guardian of the laws.

We have brought order out of chaos.

The law is the foundation of all good government.

We have restored the dignity of the Roman name.

The law is a sacred thing.