QuoteProject
Acquittal of the guilty damns the judge.
Horace
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Judges who let the guilty go free tarnish their own integrity and the justice system.

This quote highlights the moral responsibility of judges in the legal system. By acquitting those who are guilty, a judge not only fails to uphold justice but also undermines their own honor and the trust society places in the judicial process. The implication is that true justice demands accountability, and allowing the guilty to escape their consequences reflects poorly on those who are meant to enforce the law.

Themes

JusticeGuiltIntegrityJudgeAccountability

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a courtroom speech emphasizing the importance of accountability in the judicial system.

More from Horace

Only a stomach that rarely feels hungry scorns common things.
HoraceRead
Now is the time for drinking; now the time to beat the earth with unfettered foot.
HoraceRead
Carpe diem! Rejoice while you are alive; enjoy the day; live life to the fullest; make the most of what you have. It is later than you think.
HoraceRead
It is of no consequence of what parents a man is born, as long as he be a man of merit.
HoraceRead
It is not the rich man you should properly call happy, _x000D_ but him who knows how to use with wisdom the blessings of the gods, _x000D_ to endure hard poverty, and who fears dishonor worse than death, _x000D_ and is not afraid to die for cherished friends or fatherland.
HoraceRead
Few cross the river of time and are able to reach non-being. Most of them run up and down only on this side of the river. But those who when they know the law follow the path of the law, they shall reach the other shore and go beyond the realm of death.
HoraceRead

Similar quotes

Because the Illinois death penalty system is arbitrary and capricious - and therefore immoral - I no longer shall tinker with the machinery of death.
George RyanRead
After decades of persistent, courageous advocacy - often at risk to their own lives, livelihoods, and safety - African Americans succeeded in securing their right to a voice in our government, and their work laid the foundation for the social justice work of generations to follow.
Abigail SpanbergerRead
But I really think it's a very unfortunate part of our judicial system and I would feel much, much better if more states would really consider whether they think the benefits outweigh the very serious potential injustice, because in these cases the emotions are very, very high on both sides and to have stakes as high as you do in these cases, there is a special potential for error. We cannot ignore the fact that in recent years a disturbing number of inmates on death row have been exonerated.
John Paul StevensRead
It is justice, not charity, that is wanting in the world.
Mary WollstonecraftRead
Justice and goodwill will outlast passion.
James A. GarfieldRead
Justice for crimes against humanity must have no limitations.
Simon WiesenthalRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.