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Gentlemen, I find the law very explicit on murdering your…

“Gentlemen, I find the law very explicit on murdering your fellow man, but there's nothing here about killing a Chinaman. Case dismissed.” quote by Roy Bean
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“Gentlemen, I find the law very explicit on murdering your fellow man, but there's nothing here about killing a Chinaman. Case dismissed.”

Roy Bean

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Legal language can be exploited to ignore certain victims.

In simple terms: Law can exclude groups through omission.

Key Takeaway

Beware of selective legal wording.

Themes

law justice racism bias

Mood

skeptical ironic

Type

legal historical

When to use this quote

  • court decisions
  • civil rights
  • legal reform

Key Concepts

Legal loopholes racial discrimination frontier justice

Questions to Reflect On

  • Should law protect all lives equally?
  • What reforms prevent such omissions?
A Different Perspective

The argument ignores moral responsibility beyond written law.

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