--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ACCOMPLICE, n. One associated with…" description: "\"ACCOMPLICE, n. One associated with another in a crime, having guilty knowledge and complicity, as an attorney who defends a criminal, knowing him guilt..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/ambrose-bierce-140_accomplice_accomplice-n-one-associated-with-another_2799642.jpg" --- # ACCOMPLICE, n. One associated with another in a crime… ![“ACCOMPLICE, n. One associated with another in a crime, having guilty knowledge and complicity, as an attorney who defends a criminal, knowing him guilty. This view of the attorney's position in the matter has not hitherto commanded the assent of attorneys, no one having offered them a fee for…” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/ambrose-bierce-140_accomplice_accomplice-n-one-associated-with-another_2799642.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/ambrose-bierce-140_accomplice_accomplice-n-one-associated-with-another_2799642.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/145/ambrose-bierce-140_accomplice_accomplice-n-one-associated-with-another_2799642.jpg) > “ACCOMPLICE, n. One associated with another in a crime, having guilty knowledge and complicity, as an attorney who defends a criminal, knowing him guilty. This view of the attorney's position in the matter has not hitherto commanded the assent of attorneys, no one having offered them a fee for assenting.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Attorneys who knowingly defend guilty clients act as accomplices, sharing culpability. **In simple terms:** Defending a guilty person implicates the lawyer. Key Takeaway Consider ethical limits of legal defense. Themes ethics law complicity Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - courtroom defense - law firm policy - public perception Key Concepts legal responsibility morality Questions to Reflect On - Is it ever just to defend the guilty? - What safeguards exist? A Different Perspective Legal duty may conflict with personal morals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accomplice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplice/) [Accomplice Associated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplice-associated-3440773/) [Accomplices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplices/) [Assent Attorneys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assent-attorneys-3440775/) [Attorney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attorney/) [Complicity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complicity/) [Complicity Attorney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complicity-attorney-3440774/) [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Criminals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminals/) [Fees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fees/) [Guilty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilty/) [Knowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowing/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Position](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/position/) [Views](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/views/) ## Related quotes > [You're only a victim once. The next time you're an accomplice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-judd/you-re-only-a-victim-once-the-next-time-you-re-an-accomplice/) [Naomi Judd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-judd/) > [He who receives an injury is to some extent an accomplice of the wrong-doer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/he-who-receives-an-injury-is-to-some-extent-an-accomplice-of-the/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [We are always making God our accomplice so that we may legalize our own inequities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/we-are-always-making-god-our-accomplice-so-that-we-may-legalize-our/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [I was a sinner. I knew that without a doubt. But I was not alone. And the night was the accomplice of us all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kent-krueger/i-was-a-sinner-i-knew-that-without-a-doubt-but-i-was-not-alone-and/) [William Kent Krueger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kent-krueger/) > [If we become an accomplice to criminal activities by the American government, then we are liable too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-stafford-smith/if-we-become-an-accomplice-to-criminal-activities-by-the-american/) [Clive Stafford Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-stafford-smith/) > [People ask me if I have some kind of death wish, to keep saying the things I do. The answer is no: I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayaan-hirsi-ali/people-ask-me-if-i-have-some-kind-of-death-wish-to-keep-saying-the/) [Ayaan Hirsi Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayaan-hirsi-ali/) > [That which has quelled me, lives with me, Accomplice in catastrophe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edna-st-vincent-millay/that-which-has-quelled-me-lives-with-me-accomplice-in-catastrophe/) [Edna St. Vincent Millay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edna-st-vincent-millay/) > [Doubt is the accomplice of tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/doubt-is-the-accomplice-of-tyranny/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [Art is the accomplice of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remy-de-gourmont/art-is-the-accomplice-of-love/) [Remy de Gourmont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remy-de-gourmont/) > [I was an accomplice in my own frustration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-shaffer/i-was-an-accomplice-in-my-own-frustration/) [Peter Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-shaffer/) > [The theory for admitting accomplice testimony that is uncorroborated is that conspiracy is by its nature secretive and that only the parties to it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-theory-for-admitting-accomplice-testimony-that-is-uncorroborated/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To ignore evil is to become an accomplice to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/to-ignore-evil-is-to-become-an-accomplice-to-it/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Every shopaholic needs an accomplice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ozzy-osbourne/every-shopaholic-needs-an-accomplice/) [Ozzy Osbourne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ozzy-osbourne/) > [What is irritating about love is that it is a crime that requires an accomplice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-baudelaire/what-is-irritating-about-love-is-that-it-is-a-crime-that-requires-an/) [Charles Baudelaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-baudelaire/) > [Unlike the millions who casually masturbate in solitude while looking at girlie pictures in Playboy and similar magazines, the massage man preferred an accomplice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gay-talese/unlike-the-millions-who-casually-masturbate-in-solitude-while-looking/) [Gay Talese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gay-talese/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Accomplice quotes > [“In any case, if they don't do it to you, they do it to someone else...if you let them do it to others, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gioconda-belli/in-any-case-if-they-don-t-do-it-to-you-they-do-it-to-someone-else-if/) [Gioconda Belli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gioconda-belli/) > [You're only a victim once. The next time you're an accomplice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-judd/you-re-only-a-victim-once-the-next-time-you-re-an-accomplice/) [Naomi Judd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-judd/) > [“A good friend will help you move, but a true friend will help you move a body.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-daniels/a-good-friend-will-help-you-move-but-a-true-friend-will-help-you-move/) [Steven J. Daniels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-daniels/) > [“He who does not cry out the truth when he knows the truth becomes the accomplice of the liars and falsifiers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-serge/he-who-does-not-cry-out-the-truth-when-he-knows-the-truth-becomes-the/) [Victor Serge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-serge/) > [“Anyone who remains silent in the face of murder is an accomplice to murder. Anyone who does not condemn approves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zofia-kossak-szczucka/anyone-who-remains-silent-in-the-face-of-murder-is-an-accomplice-to/) [Zofia Kossak-Szczucka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zofia-kossak-szczucka/) > [What is irritating about love is that it is a crime that requires an accomplice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-baudelaire/what-is-irritating-about-love-is-that-it-is-a-crime-that-requires-an/) [Charles Baudelaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-baudelaire/) > [“It was easier to be a gleeful accomplice—to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kit-rocha/it-was-easier-to-be-a-gleeful-accomplice-to/) [Kit Rocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kit-rocha/) > [“accomplice,” Ridgeway said. “Caesar. Did it make”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colson-whitehead/accomplice-ridgeway-said-caesar-did-it-make/) [Colson Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colson-whitehead/) > [Every shopaholic needs an accomplice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ozzy-osbourne/every-shopaholic-needs-an-accomplice/) [Ozzy Osbourne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ozzy-osbourne/) > [To ignore evil is to become an accomplice to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/to-ignore-evil-is-to-become-an-accomplice-to-it/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [The theory for admitting accomplice testimony that is uncorroborated is that conspiracy is by its nature secretive and that only the parties to it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-theory-for-admitting-accomplice-testimony-that-is-uncorroborated/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [He who does not bellow the truth when he knows the truth makes himself the accomplice of liars and forgers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-peguy/he-who-does-not-bellow-the-truth-when-he-knows-the-truth-makes/) [Charles Peguy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-peguy/) > [I'm an accomplice to helping women get what they want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-galliano/i-m-an-accomplice-to-helping-women-get-what-they-want/) [John Galliano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-galliano/) > [I was an accomplice in my own frustration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-shaffer/i-was-an-accomplice-in-my-own-frustration/) [Peter Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-shaffer/) > [Art is the accomplice of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remy-de-gourmont/art-is-the-accomplice-of-love/) [Remy de Gourmont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remy-de-gourmont/) [Browse all 42 Accomplice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "ACCOMPLICE, n. 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