Intention Quote by Alija Izetbegović
““All men believe in the soul and act accordingly, even if they do not always speak up. If somebody has committed a murder and admits it, but insists that he did it unintentionally, what follows then with the prosecutor, the defense, the witnesses, the experts, and the court? Why do they deliver learned speeches, analyze every detail, and so on, when the very deed has been admitted to and its consequences are evident? All their efforts are not concerned with external objective facts, but with an inner problem: that of intention. It is not a question of what actually happened, but what happened in the heart of the murderer. Moreover, everyone involved in the case spontaneously believes that the intention is more important than the consequences. That means that everyone, maybe unconsciously, prefers the soul to the facts.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview with Alija Izetbegović, 1992
The legal focus on a criminal’s intention outweighs the factual outcome, reflecting a belief that inner motives matter more than external consequences.
In simple terms: Law prioritizes motive over facts.
Key Takeaway
Consider both intent and outcome.
Themes
law
ethics
psychology
justice
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- court trials
- criminal investigations
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
intentionality
moral philosophy
legal theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Is intention truly more important than harm caused?
- How does focusing on motive affect justice?
A Different Perspective
Legal analysis can overlook practical evidence.
