"Nothing but what has visible substance, is capable of actual possession."

“It is certain that every man has a right to keep his own sentiments, if he pleases: he has certainly a right to judge whether he will make them public, or commit them only to the sight of his own friends. In that state the manuscript is, in every sense his peculiar property; and no man can take it from him or make any use of it which he has not authorized, without being guilty of a violation of his property.”

“No tort is assignable, in law or equity. It is not within any species of action at common law.”

“Improvement in learning was no part of the thoughts or attention of our ancestors.”

“The law is too tenacious of private peace, to suffer litigations to be negotiable.”

“The Courts can take no notice of anything but what comes judicially before them.”

“The invention of an author is a species of property unknown to the common law of England. Its usages are immemorial; and the views of it tend to the benefit and advantage of the public with respect to the necessaries of life, and not to the improvement and graces of mind.”