A sentence of death and infamy was often founded on the…
![“A sentence of death and infamy was often founded on the slight and suspicious evidence of a child or a servant: the guilt [of the defendant] was presumed by the judges [due to the nature of the charge], and paederasty became the crime of those to whom no crime could be imputed.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/7c7/edward-gibbon-710_children_a-sentence-of-death-and-infamy-was-often_786917.png)
“A sentence of death and infamy was often founded on the slight and suspicious evidence of a child or a servant: the guilt [of the defendant] was presumed by the judges [due to the nature of the charge], and paederasty became the crime of those to whom no crime could be imputed.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Legal judgments often rely on flimsy testimony from low-status witnesses, leading to unjust convictions based on social bias.
In simple terms: Judges presume guilt from weak evidence of servants or children.
Key Takeaway
Question evidence and protect vulnerable witnesses.
Themes
justice
bias
legal systems
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
legal
historical
When to use this quote
- court trials
- child testimony
- servant accusations
- historical legal analysis
Key Concepts
social hierarchy
presumption of guilt
Questions to Reflect On
- How can modern courts guard against bias from low-status witnesses?
- What safeguards protect vulnerable witnesses today?
A Different Perspective
Reliance on weak evidence can still produce convictions if not challenged.