No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause…
“No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause . . . . With equal, nay with greater reason, bodies of men, are unfit to be both judges and parties at the same time;" "neither moral nor religious motives can be relied on as an adequate control. They are not found to be such on the injustice and violence of individuals, and lose their efficacy in proportion to the number combined together.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
It warns that personal involvement clouds judgment, and groups cannot reliably self‑regulate without external checks.
In simple terms: Self‑interest harms fairness; groups lack impartiality.
Key Takeaway
Ensure independent oversight.
Themes
justice
conflict of interest
governance
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
legal
When to use this quote
- courtrooms
- corporate boards
- legislative voting
- community disputes
Key Concepts
ethics
power dynamics
institutional design
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we design truly impartial systems?
- What safeguards best prevent bias?
A Different Perspective
Human nature often resists impartiality, making oversight hard.