But none of these men before you acted in minor parts…
““But none of these men before you acted in minor parts. Each of them was entrusted with broad discretion and exercised great power. Their responsibility is correspondingly great and may not be shifted to that fictional being, “the State”, which cannot be produced for trial, cannot testify, and cannot be sentenced.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Judges must bear personal responsibility; they cannot hide behind the abstract notion of the State.
In simple terms: Judges are personally accountable.
Key Takeaway
Accept responsibility, not blame the system.
Themes
responsibility
law
justice
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
legal
historical
When to use this quote
- courtroom decisions
- policy making
- government oversight
Key Concepts
legal ethics
accountability
institutional power
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure personal accountability in institutions?
- What mechanisms prevent blame shifting?
A Different Perspective
The State can be invoked to evade personal duty.