Benefits Quote by William Hazlitt
![“A felon could plead "benefit of clergy" and be saved by [reading aloud] what was aptly enough termed the "neck verse", which was very usually the Miserere mei of Psalm 51.” quote by William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e55/william-hazlitt-326_benefits_a-felon-could-plead-benefit-of-clergy-an_323390.jpg)
“A felon could plead "benefit of clergy" and be saved by [reading aloud] what was aptly enough termed the "neck verse", which was very usually the Miserere mei of Psalm 51.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Spirit of the Age", 1825
The quote describes an old legal loophole where a felon could claim clergy privilege, using a specific Psalm verse to avoid punishment.
In simple terms: Clergy privilege once let criminals escape punishment by reciting a Psalm.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how legal technicalities can be abused.
Themes
law
history
religion
justice
Mood
analytical
historical
Type
educational
informative
When to use this quote
- court trials
- historical legal studies
- religious law
- criminal defense
- theological education
Key Concepts
benefit of clergy
legal loopholes
Psalm 51
Miserere mei
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this reveal about the interplay of law and religion?
- How have legal reforms addressed such loopholes?
A Different Perspective
Modern law no longer permits such exemptions.
![“[The Dalai Lama] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could, and still things get worse in Tibet." If you look at it from one point of view, as he himself says, his monastic position of forbearance and nonviolence hasn't reaped any…” quote by Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9fe/pico-iyer-1252_benefits_the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i_678.jpg)
