Approved Quote by Benjamin Franklin
“That it is better 100 guilty Persons should escape than that one innocent Person should suffer, is a Maxim that has been long and generally approved.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Poor Richard's Almanack, 1758
It is preferable that many guilty people go free than one innocent person be punished.
In simple terms: Prefer many guilty free over one innocent punished.
Key Takeaway
Protect the innocent at all costs.
Themes
justice
ethics
law
morality
fairness
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- court decisions
- policy making
- journalism
- everyday moral choices
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
rights
punishment
innocence
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we weigh collective harm against individual injustice?
- When is it acceptable to sacrifice one for many?
A Different Perspective
Balancing collective safety with individual rights is complex.
