Citizens Quote by Jean de la Bruyere
“A guilty man is punished as an example for the mob; an innocent man convicted is the business of every honest citizen.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Les Caractères, 1688
Society should protect the innocent and hold the guilty accountable, not sacrifice justice for public spectacle.
In simple terms: Protect the innocent, punish the guilty.
Key Takeaway
Demand fairness in law.
Themes
justice
citizenship
morality
Mood
concerned
serious
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- court trials
- public policy
- media reporting
Key Concepts
ethical responsibility
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we ensure justice for all?
- What role should citizens play in legal oversight?
A Different Perspective
Legal systems can be biased, leading to wrongful convictions.
![“The court is like a palace built of marble; I mean that it is made up of very hard but very polished people. [Fr., La cour est comme un edifice bati de marbre; je veux dire qu'elle est composee d'hommes fort durs mais fort polis.]” quote by Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fcf/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_built_the-court-is-like-a-palace-built-of-marb_77288.jpg)
