Constitution Quote by Samuel Johnson
“For gold the hireling judge distorts the laws.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Idler, 1759
The legal system can be corrupted by those who profit from it, distorting justice for personal gain.
In simple terms: Corrupt judges twist laws for profit.
Key Takeaway
Beware of bias in authority.
Themes
justice
corruption
law
ethics
power
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
advisory
philosophical
When to use this quote
- courtrooms
- political negotiations
- corporate litigation
- public policy
- media reporting
Key Concepts
legalism
moral decay
conflict of interest
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure impartiality in law?
- What safeguards protect against judicial bias?
A Different Perspective
Even honest judges can be swayed by incentives.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
