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No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause; because his interest would certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his integrity. With equal, nay with greater reason, a body of men are unfit to be both judges and parties at the same time.
James Madison
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Interpretation

What this quote means

No one can be an impartial judge in a case concerning their own interests.

This quote emphasizes the principle of impartiality in judgment, highlighting that individuals, and by extension groups, cannot remain unbiased if they have a vested interest in the outcome. Madison warns against the dangers of conflict of interest, suggesting that it compromises both judgment and integrity, which is crucial in a fair legal system.

Themes

JusticeImpartialityIntegrityBiasConflict Of Interest

In practice

Example use cases

A lawyer might use this quote when discussing the importance of unbiased legal practices.

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