Proverbs 29:4 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it. He that receiveth gifts - This was notoriously the case in this kingdom, before the passing of the Magna Charta, or great charter of liberties. Hence that article in it, Nulli vendemus justitiam; "We will not sell justice to any." I have met with cases in our ancient records where, in order to get his right, a man was obliged almost to ruin himself in presents to the king, queen, and their favourites, to get the case decided in his favor.