I find this corpse guilty of carrying a concealed weapon…
“I find this corpse guilty of carrying a concealed weapon and I fine it $40.”
About This Quote
Source Historical anecdote: Roy Bean, Texas judge, 1880s
Bean humorously applied legal language to a dead animal, highlighting absurdity of literal law enforcement.
In simple terms: He jokingly fined a corpse for a concealed weapon.
Don’t take legal jargon too seriously.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- courtroom
- law enforcement
- historical anecdotes
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does humor reveal flaws in legal systems?
- When is literal enforcement harmful?
Literal interpretation can overlook context and intent.