--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Altogether, the Old Bailey, at that date…" description: "\"“Altogether, the Old Bailey, at that date, was a choice illustration of the precept, that \"Whatever is right;\" an aphorism that would be as final as it..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a67/charles-dickens-34_aphorism_altogether-the-old-bailey-at-that-date-w_2296330.jpg" --- # Altogether, the Old Bailey, at that date, was a choice… ![“Altogether, the Old Bailey, at that date, was a choice illustration of the precept, that "Whatever is right;" an aphorism that would be as final as it is lazy, did it not include the troublesome consequence, that nothing that ever was, was wrong.” quote by Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a67/charles-dickens-34_aphorism_altogether-the-old-bailey-at-that-date-w_2296330.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a67/charles-dickens-34_aphorism_altogether-the-old-bailey-at-that-date-w_2296330.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a67/charles-dickens-34_aphorism_altogether-the-old-bailey-at-that-date-w_2296330.jpg) > ““Altogether, the Old Bailey, at that date, was a choice illustration of the precept, that "Whatever is right;" an aphorism that would be as final as it is lazy, did it not include the troublesome consequence, that nothing that ever was, was wrong.”” [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that strict adherence to what is considered "right" can ignore nuance, making everything that ever existed seem correct and never wrong. **In simple terms:** Rigid moral rules ignore complexity. Key Takeaway Question flexibility over absolute rightness. Themes morality law philosophy Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - legal judgments - personal decisions - historical analysis Key Concepts ethical relativism rigidity Questions to Reflect On - How do you handle situations where "right" feels ambiguous? - Can strict rules ever be truly just? 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