Funny Quote by Ambrose Bierce
““HOMICIDE, n. The slaying of one human being by another. There are four kinds of homicide: felonious, excusable, justifiable, and praiseworthy, but it makes no great difference to the person slain whether he fell by one kind or another -- the classification is for advantage of the lawyers.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Devil’s Dictionary, 1906
Defines homicide and mocks legal classifications, highlighting their irrelevance to the victim.
In simple terms: Legal labels don’t change the tragedy of death.
Question the usefulness of legal jargon.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- courtroom discussions
- ethical debates
- policy making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do legal categories help or hinder justice?
- How does language shape our perception of violence?
Oversimplifies complex moral issues.