If lawyers were to undertake no causes till they were sure they were just, a man might be precluded altogether from a trial of his claim, though, were it judicially examined, it might be found a very just claim.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Requiring absolute certainty of justice before taking a case would deny many people their right to a fair trial.
- In plain terms
- Lawyers should not filter cases based on personal judgment of merit.
- What can you take from it?
- Ensure access to legal process even when outcomes are uncertain.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we balance access with responsibility?
- When is a claim worth pursuing?
Another view
This risks resources being used for frivolous claims.
More from Samuel Johnson
A lawyer has no business with the justice or injustice of the cause which he undertakes, unless his client asks his opinion, and then he is bound to give it ho…
Permalink to quote #6 I fancy mankind may come, in time, to write all aphoristically, except in narrative; grow weary of preparation, and connection, and illustration, and all those…
Permalink to quote #8 The reciprocal civility of authors is one of the most risible scenes in the farce of life.
Permalink to quote #5
Related quotes
A lawyer has no business with the justice or injustice of the cause which he undertakes, unless his client asks his opinion, and then he is bound to give it ho…
Samuel JohnsonSamuel Johnson quote #6 I have many things to say. My every right, constitutional, civil, political and judicial has been tramped upon. I have not only had no jury of my peers, but I …
Susan B. AnthonySusan B. Anthony quote #17 Stand us against a wall and shoot us, well and good, you are victors. But why should I be brought before a Tribunal like a c-c-c-... I can't even get the word …
Robert LeyRobert Ley quote #1