Justice Quote by William Shakespeare
““For this new-married man approaching here, Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd Your well defended honour, you must pardon For Mariana's sake: but as he adjudged your brother,-- Being criminal, in double violation Of sacred chastity and of promise-breach Thereon dependent, for your brother's life,-- The very mercy of the law cries out Most audible, even from his proper tongue, 'An Angelo for Claudio, death for death!' Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Like doth quit like, and MEASURE still FOR MEASURE””
About This Quote
Source Play: Measure for Measure, Act V, 1604
The speaker urges swift justice, equating haste with fairness, while warning that measured response yields proportional outcomes.
In simple terms: Quick justice matches the crime; measured justice matches the measure.
Key Takeaway
Balance speed and fairness in judgment.
Themes
justice
fairness
proportionality
Mood
dramatic
serious
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- courtroom decisions
- conflict resolution
- personal grievances
Key Concepts
law
ethics
retribution
Questions to Reflect On
- Is swift punishment always just?
- How does proportionality affect societal trust?
A Different Perspective
Hasty decisions can cause errors; patience may be needed.
![“This cold weather has set all the young Folks to providing Bedfellows. I have signed two or three Licences every Day [as a Fairfax Justice of the Peace] since I have been at Home. I wish I knew where to get a good one myself; for I find cold Sheets extreamly disagreeable.” quote by George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b92/george-mason-8435_bedfellows_this-cold-weather-has-set-all-the-young_3953.jpg)
