Justice Quote by David Mamet
““We cannot live in peace without Law. And though law cannot be perfect, it may be just if it is written in ignorance of the identity of the claimants and applied equally to all. Then it is a possession not only of the claimants but of the society, which may now base its actions upon a reasonable assumption of the law’s treatment. But ‘fairness’ is not only a nonlegal but an antilegal process, for it deals not with universally applicable principles and strictures, but with specific cases, responding to the perceived or proclaimed needs of individual claimants, and their desire for extralegal preference. And it could be said to substitute fairness (a determination which must always be subjective) for justice (the application of the legislated will of the electorate), is to enshrine greed--the greed, in this case, not for wealth, but for preference.””
About This Quote
Law must be impartial, treating all equally regardless of identity, while fairness is a subjective, case‑by‑case notion that can undermine justice if it becomes a tool for preferential treatment.
In simple terms: Impartial law vs. subjective fairness.
Key Takeaway
Equality in law prevents bias.
Themes
justice
fairness
equality
subjectivity
legitimacy
Mood
critical
analytical
concerned
Type
philosophical
political
legal
When to use this quote
- court rulings
- policy drafting
- civil rights disputes
- administrative decisions
Key Concepts
rule of law
impartiality
subjective judgment
social contract
Practical Applications
- legal drafting
- judicial training
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance uniform legal standards with individual equity?
- When does fairness become a threat to justice?
![“This cold weather has set all the young Folks to providing Bedfellows. I have signed two or three Licences every Day [as a Fairfax Justice of the Peace] since I have been at Home. I wish I knew where to get a good one myself; for I find cold Sheets extreamly disagreeable.” quote by George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b92/george-mason-8435_bedfellows_this-cold-weather-has-set-all-the-young_3953.jpg)
