Majorities and minorities cannot rightfully be taken at all into account in deciding questions of justice.
Lysander SpoonerRead
I got nothing against the honest cop on the beat. You just have them transferred someplace where they can't do you any harm. But don't ever talk to me about the honor of police captains or judges. If they couldn't be bought they wouldn't have the job.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques the integrity of law enforcement and the judicial system, suggesting that corruption is inherent within these institutions.
Al Capone's quote reflects a deep skepticism towards the integrity of the judicial and law enforcement systems. He recognizes that while some officers may act honorably, the larger structure allows for and even encourages corruption, as positions of power are often filled by those who can be easily influenced or 'bought'. This skepticism highlights a disillusionment with authority and the idea that true integrity is often compromised within the systems meant to uphold justice.
Themes
CorruptionJusticeIntegrityLaw EnforcementAuthorityDisillusionment
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about police reform to highlight issues of integrity within law enforcement.
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