--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If the prisoner should ask the judge…" description: "\"If the prisoner should ask the judge whether he would be content to be hanged, were he in his case, he would answer no. Then, says the prisoner, do as ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25b/john-selden-7457_answers_if-the-prisoner-should-ask-the-judge-whe_2435283.jpg" --- # If the prisoner should ask the judge whether he would be… ![“If the prisoner should ask the judge whether he would be content to be hanged, were he in his case, he would answer no. Then, says the prisoner, do as you would be done to.” quote by John Selden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25b/john-selden-7457_answers_if-the-prisoner-should-ask-the-judge-whe_2435283.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25b/john-selden-7457_answers_if-the-prisoner-should-ask-the-judge-whe_2435283.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/25b/john-selden-7457_answers_if-the-prisoner-should-ask-the-judge-whe_2435283.jpg) > “If the prisoner should ask the judge whether he would be content to be hanged, were he in his case, he would answer no. Then, says the prisoner, do as you would be done to.” [John Selden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-selden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The prisoner would deny wanting execution if he were the judge, yet he urges the judge to treat him as he would wish to be treated. **In simple terms:** People often reject what they would not want for themselves, yet demand it for others. Key Takeaway Recognize hypocrisy in judgments. Themes justice hypocrisy perspective Mood thoughtful critical Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - courtroom - legal debates - personal conflicts - policy making Key Concepts ethical reasoning self‑interest moral philosophy Questions to Reflect On - Do you judge others by your own standards? - How can we ensure fairness without projecting personal bias? A Different Perspective The argument assumes the judge’s preferences align with the prisoner’s, which may not hold. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Answers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/answers/) [Ask Judge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ask-judge-332333/) [Asks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks/) [Cases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cases/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Hanged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hanged/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Judging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judging/) [Prisoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prisoner/) [Prisoner Ask](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prisoner-ask-332331/) [Says Prisoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/says-prisoner-332329/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) ## Related quotes > [“As he saw it, the central issue had shifted from the purely racial to the economic. 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