- Satius est petere fontes quam sectari rivulos
- It is more satisfactory to seek the spring than to follow the little rivulets. The maxim expresses the advice of Lord Coke that in deciding cases the ancient sources of the law should be consulted. Dyson v Rhode Island Co. 25 RI 600, 57 A 7 71.
Ballentine's law dictionary. Anderson, W.S.. 1998.