The attendant on William Rufus, who discharged at a deer…
“The attendant on William Rufus, who discharged at a deer an arrow, which glanced against a tree and killed the king, was no murderer, because he had no such design. And, on the other hand, a man who should lie in wait to assassinate another, and pull the trigger of a gun with that intent, would be morally a murderer, not the less though the gun should chance to miss fire.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Intent determines moral blame, not merely outcomes.
In simple terms: Intent matters more than accident.
Key Takeaway
Judge actions by purpose.
Themes
ethics
intent
law
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- court rulings
- self‑defense decisions
- medical errors
- military orders
Key Concepts
moral responsibility
accidental harm
premeditation
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it fair to punish accidental harm?
- How do we balance intent and outcome?
A Different Perspective
Legal systems sometimes punish unintended consequences.