Accidents Quote by Terry Pratchett
““He's bound to have done something ,” Nobby repeated. In this he was echoing the Patrician's view of crime and punishment. If there was crime, there should be punishment. If the specific criminal should be involved in the punishment process then this was a happy accident, but if not then any criminal would do, and since everyone was undoubtedly guilty of something, the net result was that, in general terms , justice was done.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Discworld – “The Truth”, 2000
Justice is portrayed as a vague, collective punishment where any guilt justifies any penalty, reflecting a cynical view of law.
In simple terms: Justice is vague and punishes anyone deemed guilty.
Key Takeaway
Question the fairness of collective punishment.
Themes
justice
law
morality
society
punishment
Mood
cynical
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- courtroom decisions
- policy making
- social activism
- community mediation
Key Concepts
collective responsibility
legal philosophy
ethical relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it just to punish without individual proof?
- How does collective guilt affect societal trust?
A Different Perspective
Assumes guilt without proof can lead to oppression.
