Many authors also attacked the widespread corruption among…
““Many authors also attacked the widespread corruption among lawyers. In general, justice was recognized as being so unjust that, as Montaigne complained, ordinary people avoided it rather than seeking it out. He cited a local incident in which a group of peasants found a man lying stabbed and bleeding on a path. He begged them to give him water and help him to his feet, but they ran off, not daring to touch him in case they were held responsible for the attack. Montaigne had the job of talking to them after they were tracked down. “What could I say to them?” he wrote. They were right to be afraid. In another case he mentions, a gang of killers confessed to a murder for which someone had already been tried and was about to be executed. Surely this ought to mean a stay of execution? No, decided the court: that would set a dangerous precedent for overturning judgments.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Justice often appears corrupt; fear of responsibility leads people to avoid helping, showing systemic flaws.
In simple terms: Justice can be unjust.
Key Takeaway
Seek fair systems.
Themes
justice
corruption
fear
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
ethical
legal
When to use this quote
- courtroom decisions
- community aid
- policy reform
Key Concepts
legal ethics
social responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you do when faced with an unjust law?
- How can societies reduce fear of responsibility?
A Different Perspective
Fear can paralyze moral action.