If I owe a person money, and cannot pay him, and he…
““If I owe a person money, and cannot pay him, and he threatens to put me in prison, another person can take the debt upon himself, and pay it for me. But if I have committed a crime, every circumstance of the case is changed. Moral justice cannot take the innocent for the guilty even if the innocent would offer itself. To suppose justice to do this, is to destroy the principle of its existence, which is the thing itself. It is then no longer justice. It is indiscriminate revenge.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Justice must not punish the innocent for the guilty; moral law preserves its integrity by protecting the blameless.
In simple terms: Justice protects the innocent.
Key Takeaway
Uphold moral integrity in law.
Themes
justice
morality
law
Mood
serious
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- courtroom decisions
- policy making
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
ethics
legal theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure innocent are protected?
- What safeguards prevent moral corruption?
A Different Perspective
Legal systems can be imperfectly applied.