Thou art Justice - ne'er for gold May thy righteous laws be sold As laws are in England - thou Shield'st alike the high and low.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Justice should never be sold for money like in England, but should protect everyone equally regardless of status.
- In plain terms
- Justice must be free and fair to all people, rich or poor.
- What can you take from it?
- Laws should protect everyone equally without corruption.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we ensure laws remain unbiased by wealth?
- What does true equality before the law look like?
Another view
The quote assumes a clear distinction between ideal justice and English law which may oversimplify complex legal systems.
More from Percy Bysshe Shelley
What is Freedom? - ye can tell That which slavery is, too well - For its very name has grown To an echo of your own.
Permalink to quote #104 What if English toil and blood Was poured forth, even as a flood? It availed, Oh, Liberty, To dim, but not extinguish thee.
Permalink to quote #106 My father Time is weak and gray With waiting for a better day; See how idiot-like he stands, Fumbling with his palsied hands!
Permalink to quote #103
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