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Fill the seats of justice with good men, not so absolute in goodness as to forget what human frailty is.
Thomas Noon Talfourd
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Justice requires good people who understand human imperfection.

This quote emphasizes the importance of having individuals in positions of authority who are virtuous yet realistic about human flaws. It suggests that an overly rigid sense of goodness can lead to a lack of empathy and understanding towards the complexities of human nature, which is essential in the pursuit of true justice.

Themes

JusticeGoodnessHuman FrailtyEmpathyAuthority

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion on the legal system, this quote can highlight the need for compassionate judges.

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