--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It might be pardonable to refuse to…" description: "\"It might be pardonable to refuse to defend some men, but to defend them negligently is nothing short of criminal.\" — Marcus Tullius Cicero" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fff/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_men_it-might-be-pardonable-to-refuse-to-defe_2352509.jpg" --- # It might be pardonable to refuse to defend some men, but… ![“It might be pardonable to refuse to defend some men, but to defend them negligently is nothing short of criminal.” quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fff/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_men_it-might-be-pardonable-to-refuse-to-defe_2352509.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fff/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_men_it-might-be-pardonable-to-refuse-to-defe_2352509.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fff/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_men_it-might-be-pardonable-to-refuse-to-defe_2352509.jpg) > “It might be pardonable to refuse to defend some men, but to defend them negligently is nothing short of criminal.” [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Defending someone care is acceptable; negligent defense is criminally blameworthy. **In simple terms:** Negligence in defense is a crime. Key Takeaway Take responsibility seriously. Themes justice ethics responsibility Mood serious reflective Type ethical legal When to use this quote - law practice - leadership - public service Key Concepts legal duty moral obligation Questions to Reflect On - When is defense justified? - How to balance duty and capacity? 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