It is true that the aristocracies seem to have abused their monopoly of legal knowledge; and at all events their exclusive possession of the law was a formidable impediment to the success of those popular movements which began to be universal in the western world.

The quote by Henry James Sumner Maine reflects on the historical concentration of legal knowledge and power within the hands of the aristocracies in Western societies. Maine argues that the aristocratic classes used their monopoly on legal expertise to abuse their position, preventing broader social progress. The exclusive possession of the law by the elite acted as a formidable impediment to popular movements that sought social change and democracy, movements that were becoming more widespread during this time.

Maine is highlighting how the control of legal knowledge by the aristocracy created a barrier to the growth of popular movements that aimed to challenge the status quo. By keeping legal authority concentrated in a small, privileged class, these movements, which began to rise in Western societies, were significantly hindered. These movements, which were starting to gain traction in places like Europe and America, sought to create more inclusive, egalitarian societies where legal rights were accessible to all.

The origin of this quote comes from Maine's work on historical jurisprudence, particularly in his analysis of the development of law and its relationship to society. As a scholar of legal history, Maine was critical of the way that law had historically been used as a tool of the elite to maintain power and control. His writings, such as Ancient Law, focus on the evolution of legal systems and the role of law in shaping social structures.

Ultimately, Maine’s quote sheds light on the role of law in reinforcing social hierarchies and how the concentration of legal knowledge in the hands of the aristocracy stifled the progress of popular movements. It underscores the importance of democratizing legal knowledge and access to ensure that social change and justice can be achieved, reflecting the shift toward a more inclusive and egalitarian legal system in modern societies.