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The reasonableness of the agency of the national courts in cases in which the state tribunals cannot be supposed to be impartial, speaks for itself. No man ought certainly to be a judge in his own cause, or in any cause in respect to which he has the least interest or bias.
Alexander Hamilton
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the importance of impartiality in justice, arguing that individuals cannot fairly judge cases where they have a personal stake.

In this quote, Alexander Hamilton discusses the critical role of impartiality in judicial proceedings. He asserts that when state courts cannot operate fairly, national courts must step in, as it is fundamentally unjust for individuals to be judges in cases where they hold any interest or bias. This highlights a cornerstone of fair trial principles, where judges must be free from any conflict of interest to uphold justice.

Themes

JusticeImpartialityCourtsJudgmentBias

In practice

Example use cases

During a lecture on judicial fairness, this quote can illustrate the necessity for impartial judges.

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The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge right or make good decision.
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The true principle of a republic is that the people should choose whom they please to govern them. Representation is imperfect, in proportion as the current of popular favor is checked. The great source of free government, popular election, should be perfectly pure, and the most unbounded liberty allowed.
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