Civilized Quote by Fred Rodell
“The reason the lawyers lead the line to the guillotine or the firing squad is that, while law is supposed to be a device to serve society, a civilized way of helping the wheels go round without too much friction, it is pretty hard to find a group less concerned with serving society and more concerned with serving themselves than the lawyers.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Lawyer’s Role,” 1935
Lawyers often prioritize self-interest over public service, contradicting the profession’s societal purpose.
In simple terms: Lawyers may serve themselves.
Key Takeaway
Critically assess professional motives.
Themes
ethics
law
self‑interest
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- legal reform
- public policy debates
- law school curricula
Key Concepts
professionalism
societal duty
conflict of interest
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards can ensure lawyers serve society?
- How can the legal system promote altruism?
A Different Perspective
Not all lawyers are self‑serving.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
