Justice
‹ 6 · Outline · 8 ›
7.Fair trial and the protection of the accused
7a.Condemnation unheard and on false accusation
See also: Punishment 4d · Citizen 6a
Aeschylus, The FuriesVol. 8
- p. 138–140Athena refuses to judge unheard, insisting both parties speak; Furies accuse her of wanting the form of justice, not its deed.read · scan
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 182Pleads for justice against false witnesses and those who repay evil for good.read · scan
Sophocles, Oedipus the KingVol. 8
- p. 225Oedipus demands wrongs not go unchastised; Creon protests accusation on unproved suspicion.read · scan
- p. 225Creon protests against charging him on shadowy proof; it is unjust to count bad as good; time reveals the righteous.read · scan
- p. 225–228Chorus pleads against condemning a friend on mere mistrust.read · scan
Euripides, HippolytusVol. 8
- p. 346–349Hippolytus asks not to be condemned unheard; Theseus refuses to weigh oath or witness.read · scan
- p. 350–351Hippolytus, bound by oath, cannot defend himself and is banished unheard as a vile ravisher.read · scan
Plato, The Apology of SocratesVol. 2
- p. 12–13Meletus makes a joke of a serious matter by prosecuting from pretended zeal.read · scan
- p. 25He never intentionally wronged anyone and will not wrong himself; a hasty one-day capital trial cannot refute slanders.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 100Sinon says Palamedes was falsely accused and sentenced for pretended crimes.read · scan
- p. 100Sinon claims Ulysses falsely charged his patron with treason and persecuted him.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 411–412Jesus protests being arrested like a robber by night after teaching openly.read · scan
- p. 413Pilate finds no fault in Jesus despite accusations, yet passes him along; a trial marked by false charges.read · scan
- p. 414–415Pilate thrice declares Jesus innocent, but yields to the crowd, freeing murderer Barabbas and delivering Jesus to be crucified.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 458Paul and Silas are beaten and jailed without trial, stirred by the mob and magistrates.read · scan
- p. 474A conspiracy of forty men plots to murder Paul under pretense of a fair hearing.read · scan
Plutarch, ThemistoclesVol. 12
- p. 25Accused of treason by enemies, he defends himself in absentia by letters.read · scan
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 68–69Phidias, Aspasia and Anaxagoras are prosecuted through malice against Pericles; Phidias dies in prison, possibly poisoned.read · scan
Plutarch, AristidesVol. 12
- p. 84–85A citizen votes to banish Aristides merely from weariness of hearing him called the Just.read · scan
- p. 103–104Unjust condemnations of Athenian leaders; Aristides's alleged bribery conviction lacks written proof.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 123–124Alcibiades demands trial before sailing, but the people imprison the accused without hearing them, acting from fury and calumny.read · scan
- p. 124Accusers offer nothing solid, such as seeing culprits by a moonless night's light, yet the people eagerly seize and imprison the accused.read · scan
- p. 124–126Alcibiades distrusts even his mother in a matter of life, and hearing his death sentence vows to make them feel he is alive.read · scan
- p. 129–131Phrynichus is stabbed, then condemned for treason after examination, and his killers crowned.read · scan
- p. 144Athenians acknowledge his second rejection was inexcusable, made without fault of his own.read · scan
Plutarch, CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 165Tribunes change the voting to tribes and shift the charges from tyranny to others, so that a rabble condemns Marcius unjustly.read · scan
Plutarch, Comparison of Alcibiades with CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 188Coriolanus was killed by the Volscians without right or justice, though with some pretext from his own acts.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 270Cicero signs off killing Caesar, thinking the murder unjust and illegal or fearing the people.read · scan
- p. 302–303Caesar says he would have been condemned had he dismissed his army, blaming opponents.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 253Cornelia is condemned in absence without defence; Pliny cannot say whether she was innocent, though she showed every sign of it.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 89An innocent man is nearly punished for another's crime, illustrating the risk of unjust condemnation.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 174The butcher is falsely accused, beaten, robbed of his property and banished by a magistrate who refuses to hear him.read · scan
- p. 176Wrongly suspected on the strength of a shoemaker's knife and old scars, he is disbelieved, beaten and hauled before the magistrate.read · scan
- p. 176The man is punished on presumption of guilt from his old scars.read · scan
- p. 208Punishment is decreed unheard, without inquiry into the accuser's story.read · scan
- p. 406Ala-ed-Din, conscious of innocence, is chained without knowing his offence and submits to the Sultan's command.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 106–108Kinmont Willie is seized and bound for hanging, and he protests, invoking the border law.read · scan
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 125More indicted for treason on Rich's report and pleads not guilty.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 29–30Prinzivalle checks the Radical magistrates who would imprison him unjustly, on the strength of calumnies.read · scan
- p. 132–133Pompeo's false report brings a hasty death sentence without hearing.read · scan
- p. 140Cellini reproaches the Pope for ordering him hanged on a malicious enemy's word.read · scan
- p. 171He protests that he is unjustly threatened, comparing the Duke to Pope Clement.read · scan
- p. 202–203Cellini is arrested on the Perugian's false charge of stealing Church jewels, prompted by the avarice of the Pope and his son.read · scan
- p. 203Cellini is imprisoned on a greedy charge of embezzling papal jewels; the Pope's son seeks the money, and the examination is a pretext.read · scan
- p. 204Cellini protests the cruel injustice of his arrest without checking the jewel registers, which would show nothing missing.read · scan
- p. 230He thinks death unjust by human laws, since the Pope had pardoned his homicides and he acted in self-defence.read · scan
- p. 254–256He rages that the undeserving priests and soldiers are freed while he is held by fraud.read · scan
- p. 349Bandinello's calumnies and obstruction deny him workmen; Cellini protests to the Duke that Bandinello lies.read · scan
- p. 354–355A false charge of sin is contrived by the majordomo and the prostitute to frighten Cellini out of Florence.read · scan
- p. 360Cellini indignantly defends himself against false accusation of fraud, challenging the Duke to prove any dishonesty and punish him.read · scan
John Calvin, Dedication of the Institutes of the Christian ReligionVol. 39
- p. 27Calvin protests that the doctrine is condemned unheard, by prejudice and accusation rather than proof, so that innocence is destroyed.read · scan
- p. 27–29The doctrine is condemned without a hearing, without order of law, and with passion rather than judicial gravity; Calvin begs the king to take up the cause.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 455Quixote is to be seized as a highway robber for freeing prisoners, an arrest he resents as abuse.read · scan
- p. 456–457He defends freeing prisoners and aiding the wretched as righteous deeds, not robbery, against a warrant he deems unjust.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, Preface to the History of the WorldVol. 39
- p. 77He was more just than Louis XI, not beginning processes by execution.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, Edward the SecondVol. 46
- p. 81–82Kent is condemned under martial law for attempting to rescue his brother.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 363–365Lennox's irony exposes Macbeth's false, unjust blame of the drunken grooms and Duncan's sons.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 807–808Pilgrims question by what justice Ancona and the church banish the Duchess; they find none but her brother's instigation.read · scan
- p. 826–827Ferdinand disowns the killing, noting no form of law or jury condemned the Duchess; Bosola says justice is perverted when one thief hangs another.read · scan
Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Life Is a DreamVol. 26
- p. 23He questions whether he wrongs his son of his prerogative by punishing him for foretold crimes.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 121–123Pauline argues that slaying him would slay the innocent with the guilty, double wrong.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 270–271Christ never condemned without hearing, even addressing Judas and the guest without wedding garment.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 93–94Examiners treat innocent strangers as madmen and disturbers, an unjust examination.read · scan
- p. 95Fair-folk are charged with the hubbub unjustly; the pilgrims are beaten, chained and paraded, and a sentence of death is resolved.read · scan
- p. 96–97Trial is a mock of justice with hostile judge and false witnesses.read · scan
- p. 97–98Envy and Superstition act as biased false witnesses.read · scan
- p. 98–99Mock trial with hostile accusers and a prejudiced judge who would slay the prisoner at once.read · scan
- p. 99–100Judge steers the jury to condemn Faithful for treason, distinguishing Pharaoh's preventive law from a crime actually apparent.read · scan
Jean Racine, PhaedraVol. 26
- p. 168–170Phaedra hesitates to slander innocence while Oenone would sacrifice an innocent to save her mistress.read · scan
- p. 174–175Hippolytus is condemned unheard on false accusation; the sword is taken as proof.read · scan
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in FranceVol. 24
- p. 219–220Justice is grave and seems to submit to necessity; degrading the king as criminal then trusting him is inconsistent.read · scan
- p. 240–241Condemns confiscation of church property as dishonest, perfidious and cruel; unaccused, untried men should not be seized upon.read · scan
- p. 250–251Old tyrants used false colours of legal process, paying homage to justice; shame keeps some virtue and moderation alive.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 284–285Egmont trusts Philip incapable of injustice of punishing before trial; Orange doubts it.read · scan
- p. 320Egmont doubts the king's justice; Clara asks what tribunal has the right to condemn him.read · scan
- p. 324–326Egmont denounces the secret, night-hatched sentence as infamous injustice and questions the king's power to delegate judgment.read · scan
- p. 326Egmont, condemned as traitor, declares the sentence the product of Alva's envy and self-serving ambition, not lawful judgment.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 448–449Rossel protests that not even the Emperor would violate their chartered rights; Gessler treats Tell's honest answer as guilt.read · scan
Sydney Smith, Fallacies of Anti-ReformersVol. 27
- p. 240–241Infamy should not automatically fall on an accuser who fails to convict.read · scan
- p. 241–242A groundless accusation may be honest and blameless; only bad faith merits infamy, and one cannot guard against false testimony beforehand.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 10Ban permits torture and galleys on mere reputation without proof of crime, an unjust procedure.read · scan
- p. 188He would twist a harmless incident into a seditious act to procure an unjust apprehension of Renzo.read · scan
- p. 235–236Renzo protests that the poor are unfairly recorded and confounded by officials; wants everything done in a fair way.read · scan
- p. 245A disguised under-sheriff entraps Renzo to arrest him, marking him as a target.read · scan
- p. 246–248Notary interrogates the innkeeper, pressing him to incriminate a customer; the innkeeper evades, professing ignorance and deferring to authority's power.read · scan
- p. 248–249Notary and armed bailiffs arrest Renzo at dawn on the innkeeper's information; Renzo protests the oppression and his unexplained arrest.read · scan
- p. 249Renzo, innocent and arrested unjustly, protests he has nothing to do with justice while the notary orders the bailiffs to seize him.read · scan
- p. 250Renzo wonders how justice has grown so confident as to seize one of the youths who spoke in the assembly.read · scan
- p. 252Officers bind Renzo with knotted cord handcuffs that can torture the prisoner, which the narrator calls euphemistic 'ruffles'; Renzo insists on getting his belongings back.read · scan
- p. 253Renzo is manacled as an honest man; the notary excuses it as mere formality while officers tighten the cords.read · scan
- p. 255Renzo appeals to the crowd that he is seized for shouting 'Bread and justice' and is an honest man; the notary slanders him as a thief.read · scan
- p. 256Authority's officers are overpowered by popular sympathy for the unjustly seized man.read · scan
- p. 257Renzo knows the police have his name on their books and can seize him whenever they like.read · scan
- p. 274Renzo resents the false accusation of conspiracy after having helped the superintendent, whom he never knew, out of neighborly Christian duty.read · scan
- p. 289Renzo's family and friends are summoned to depose against him, and his name becomes a disgrace before any proof.read · scan
- p. 289–290Villagers doubt the charge against honest Renzo and suspect a machination by Don Rodrigo.read · scan
- p. 293–294News of arrests and hangings after the Milan riots threatens the peaceable Renzo.read · scan
- p. 306–307Lorenzo is portrayed as having escaped the hands of justice after the St. Martin's day riot.read · scan
- p. 311–312An innocent friar is removed on a powerful man's wish without inquiry or fault proven.read · scan
- p. 520–521Mob violence seizes an old man and innocent French youths on suspicion; prison and courts serve as haven or acquittal.read · scan
- p. 553Renzo feels little concern about prosecution since the podesta has died and the officers are dead or busy.read · scan
- p. 571–572An innocent man is accused and threatened with mob violence without hearing.read · scan
- p. 572–573He judges it better to escape than to clear himself before a mob crying poisoner.read · scan
- p. 583–584Renzo is outlawed though innocent of any wicked act; the friar believes him.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 52–53Councillors demand she be brought to justice for the alleged devouring of children.read · scan
- p. 53–54A trial is held and the mute queen cannot defend herself before condemnation.read · scan
- p. 62–63John is unjustly condemned to the gallows; the king repents his ingratitude and the wrong doneread · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 297–298Cenci sarcastically asks how just it would be to hire assassins, pretending his family plots against him.read · scan
George Long, M. Aurelius AntoninusVol. 2
- p. 313Melito doubts a just emperor could order such unjust treatment; informers rob the harmless.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 277–278Innocent Eliza is condemned by the King and people to burn, on false suspicion of witchcraft.read · scan
- p. 328–329The Princess calls killing the innocent man a work of charity; injustice triumphs.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 100Sam protests his innocence of impudence, and John questions the flogging.read · scan
- p. 101–102John asks what he is flogged for, having never refused duty; the captain admits no just cause.read · scan
7b.Torture and forced confession
See also: Punishment 5 · Truth 3c
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 254–255Celer protests he has done nothing while being scourged; Licinianus confesses to gain leniency.read · scan
- p. 299–301A mother accuses freedmen of forging a will and poisoning her son; they are acquitted after torture, and she appeals.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 146Innocent narrator is tortured into false confession of theft and has his hand cut off, preferring that to revealing the murder.read · scan
- p. 172The Wali's judgment relies on flogging to extract confession, and the informer claims a share of the loot.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 177–178Money would have bought the notary and lawyer; confession under torture, unfair proofs and witnesses.read · scan
- p. 182He argues the convicts suffered through torture, poverty, lack of favour and a wretched sentence, not true justice.read · scan
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 399Testimony from those harmed by their kin's condemnation, or extracted by torture, is not credible, since it serves self-preservation.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 509A woman is tortured and burned as a witch on Settala's advice, a deplorable injustice that raised his reputation.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 337–341Judges extract confession by torture; Beatrice denounces the farce of a trial in which slaves answer as questioners desire.read · scan
- p. 341–343Beatrice argues the evidence of a tortured vassal cannot justify torture of the innocent; her accusers are unjust.read · scan
7c.Rights of the accused and due process
See also: Law 9c · Punishment 3d · Sin 6b
Aeschylus, The FuriesVol. 8
- p. 123–126Apollo promises Orestes judges at Athena's city who can win him deliverance; Athena's court will decide the cause.read · scan
- p. 131–132The Furies note Orestes wishes to be brought to judgment for his deed.read · scan
- p. 140–142Orestes pleads blood vengeance for his father was rightful; Athena, finding the matter too great for mortals, institutes a court of sworn judges.read · scan
- p. 144–147Athena rules that accusers speak first so that the plaint is tried rightfully.read · scan
- p. 152–154Orestes is free of guilt when the votes are equal, while the Furies protest that the ancient right is overridden.read · scan
- p. 154–155The Furies invoke Justice while threatening; Athena says the balanced vote and Zeus's will show fair issue.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 764–765Eight householders are appointed to try any charge of sin brought against her in her new home.read · scan
- p. 766–767Visakha invokes the eight householders to try the charge against her, and defends herself by explaining her words.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 99Sestius is indicted for bribery and riot; Cicero defends Bestia and prepares Sestius's defence in court.read · scan
- p. 117Gabinius faces trial for lese-majeste and is nearly crushed by popular hatred.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 459–460Paul demands proper redress for being beaten and jailed uncondemned, rather than a secret release.read · scan
- p. 475–476Lysias reports Paul is charged over questions of their law and deserves neither death nor bonds; accusers must speak before Felix.read · scan
- p. 478–479Festus states the Roman custom that the accused face accusers and defend himself; he found nothing worthy of death.read · scan
Plutarch, CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 162–163Patricians protest that dragging Marcius to execution without trial is illegal and barbarous; the tribunes agree to a formal trial.read · scan
Plutarch, CiceroVol. 12
- p. 232–233Lentulus is convicted on the letters, witnesses and found weapons, and abjures his office.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 269Caesar says it is unjust and unprecedented to kill men of rank before a fair trial unless absolutely necessary.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 188Pliny hesitates over prosecuting Regulus, a vindictive informer, waiting for Mauricus's counsel before pursuing or dropping the matter.read · scan
- p. 294Emperor insists on hearing the forgery case despite suspicion, consults advisers, threatens sentence on calumniators.read · scan
- p. 298–299The prosecution of Varenus by the Bithynians is dropped as rash; legal contest before the consuls.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 928–929Joseph refuses to seize anyone but the one found with the goblet, else he would be unjust.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 128The Wali has the pickpocket searched, and the purse found on him convicts him on the trooper's word.read · scan
The Song of RolandVol. 49
- p. 185–187Karl summons his judges from across the realm for Ganelon's trial.read · scan
- p. 187–189Ganelon is tried before Karl's barons for treason; he pleads vengeance not treason, and seeks a champion.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 210Unreadable, obscure laws binding men are held against right and justice.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 109Officials search out false coiners; the Pope insists on finding the real criminal while trusting Cellini's honesty.read · scan
- p. 172He insists on knowing his accuser before he will rest.read · scan
- p. 203–204He insists on finishing his defence and being judged fairly against a hostile governor's false accusations.read · scan
- p. 210–212The King urges the Pope to hand Cellini to ordinary judges, but the Pope resolves to keep him prisoner for life.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 108–109Quixote defends the damsel, ruling she is not at fault and must not be persecuted.read · scan
Francis Pretty, Sir Francis Drake's Famous Voyage Round the WorldVol. 33
- p. 205Drake inquires into Doughty's actions and tries him in good order, as near as possible to English law, before the company.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 182–183Claudius offers Laertes a fair judgment by wise friends of his guilt, and promises the great axe to fall on the offenderread · scan
Nathaniel Ward, The Body of LibertiesVol. 43
- p. 66–67All persons, inhabitant or foreigner, enjoy the same justice and law without partiality or delay.read · scan
- p. 69–70Courts protect defendants from false claims, allow help in pleading, and look to substance rather than technical errors.read · scan
- p. 70–71Defendant has time to answer in writing so justice is not hindered.read · scan
- p. 72–73Protects accused from double sentence, coerced confession and conviction without adequate witnesses.read · scan
- p. 73–74Children, idiots and strangers receive allowances as religion and reason require; full pleas allowed both parties.read · scan
John Winthrop, Arbitrary Government Described and the Government of the Massachusetts Vindicated from That AspersionVol. 43
- p. 89–90Protects life, honor, person and estate from unjust sentence.read · scan
- p. 95A just sentence cannot be given before the offence is committed.read · scan
- p. 105Holds it unjust to demand obedience to laws people cannot take notice of.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 296Unjust judges who make laws on the moment are rebuked; judge by established laws.read · scan
John Dryden, Dedication of the AeneisVol. 13
- p. 31Dryden frames the debate as a jury trial of Aeneas and the poet.read · scan
John Dryden, All for Love; or, The World Well LostVol. 18
- p. 46Antony wants to be justified to posterity and bids her hear him and be reproached only for lies.read · scan
Voltaire, Letters on the EnglishVol. 34
- p. 87Charles I was formally tried and sentenced, unlike the secret murders of French monarchs.read · scan
Edmund Burke, A Letter to a Noble LordVol. 24
- p. 384–385Refuses revolutionary tribunals, claims trial by peers under the spirit of English law, and challenges the Duke as juror.read · scan
The Declaration of IndependenceVol. 43
- p. 151–152The king obstructed the administration of justice, protected soldiers by mock trial and denied trial by jury.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 79–81Guests clamor for summary hanging of rich hoarders without trial, while the Podesta insists on fair trial; rough justice versus due process.read · scan
- p. 202–203Sheriff offers pardon and appeals to justice, warning that seizing bread by force is a great crime.read · scan
- p. 213Renzo protests that lynching usurps the executioner's office; murder of a Christian is wicked and unjust.read · scan
- p. 233He says he will give his name only when the law punishes the guilty and lets honest lovers marry.read · scan
- p. 271–272Speaker insists bakers and monopolists be punished through the course of justice, not by mob plunder; the fugitive may fall into the hands of justice.read · scan
- p. 398–399The Cardinal will inquire into the outlawed Renzo, since poor people easily seem rogues.read · scan
Constitution of the United StatesVol. 43
- p. 190–191Rule that treason requires two witnesses or confession in open court.read · scan
- p. 194–195Due process, grand jury, speedy public trial, counsel, confrontation of witnesses, and protection against self-incrimination.read · scan
- p. 196–197Equal protection of the laws and due process guaranteed to all persons.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 343Beatrice pleads for justice on earth as the price of mercy in heaven; she protests being accuser's victim and judged by one man.read · scan
- p. 346Camillo overrules further proceedings on behalf of the innocent and appeals to the Pope.read · scan
- p. 347–350Judge holds her convicted though unconfessed; she says the deed may or may not be called a crime.read · scan
George Long, M. Aurelius AntoninusVol. 2
- p. 311–312Rescripts insist innocent people not be troubled and charges be made in due form.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 355–356English fairness: belief in two sides, appeal from assertion to proof, resolution to see fair play.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, On LibertyVol. 25
- p. 223Unbelievers are denied redress against theft and assault, effectively outlawed, by the rule requiring belief in God.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 231The mate insists on fair play, a rope line and rules; the weaker boy asserts his rights against his oppressor.read · scan
- p. 373Raising sailors' character will give weight to their testimony in courts of justice.read · scan
Treaty with Great Britain (1842)Vol. 43
- p. 287–288Fugitives charged with serious crimes are delivered up upon sufficient evidence of criminality, heard by magistrates.read · scan
Fugitive Slave ActVol. 43
- p. 308Summary hearing on affidavit and identity proof gives the alleged fugitive scant procedural protection.read · scan
- p. 308–309Denying the accused fugitive the right to testify is a striking denial of fair hearing.read · scan
7d.Trial by combat and ordeal
See also: Chivalry 3c
The Song of RolandVol. 49
- p. 191–193Trial by combat between Thierry and Pinabel, Karl asking God to show his judgment on the cause.read · scan
- p. 193–194Thierry's victory in combat is taken as God's verdict, vindicating the charge of treason.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 94–96Douglas objects that Percy's men kill his deer without his consent, and he spares guiltless men by proposing single combat.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 163–164Bors agrees to champion a disinherited lady wrongfully threatened by her sister's claim.read · scan
- p. 165–167Trial by combat settles the disputed inheritance in the rightful lady's favor.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King LearVol. 46
- p. 306Albany arrests Edmund for capital treason and calls for trial by combat.read · scan
- p. 306–310Edgar accuses Edmund of treason; the combat proves it, and Albany reveals the evidence.read · scan
William Morris, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1188–1190She calls on God's justice and cites Mellyagraunce's trial by combat, where God struck the wrongdoer.read · scan
- p. 1190–1192Mellyagraunce fought against the Lord and so was undone; she warns judges against rash words.read · scan
7e.The innocent vindicated
Euripides, HippolytusVol. 8
- p. 351–353The chorus grieves at the wrong of a pure man driven out by a father's wrath.read · scan
- p. 355–358The henchman insists Hippolytus was innocent and true; Theseus demands to see him and prove his guilt by divine judgment.read · scan
Plato, The Apology of SocratesVol. 2
- p. 25–26Unrighteousness has overtaken his accusers; they are condemned by the truth to suffer for wrong.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 768–769The householders hear each charge against Visakha and find her guiltless.read · scan
- p. 769–770Visakha is found guiltless of any sin.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 415Good thief says Jesus has done nothing amiss; centurion calls him righteous.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 479–481Hearers conclude Paul does nothing worthy of death or bonds.read · scan
- p. 485–486Paul says the Romans found no cause of death in him and would have freed him; he appealed to Caesar.read · scan
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 67Phidias is accused of theft, but the gold was arranged so that it could be weighed and no theft was proved.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 138–139Recall from banishment and restoration of his estate; Theodorus's retort that an innocent man was never cursed.read · scan
Plutarch, CiceroVol. 12
- p. 219–220Cicero defends Roscius against Sylla's freedman Chrysogonus, who seized the estate and framed the heir for murder.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 132–133Socrates prepared for trial by never doing wrong to anyone.read · scan
- p. 134Rejects the charge that his execution was unjust or a ground to accuse God.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 90Alypius's innocence is vindicated when the architect and the boy expose the real thief, shaming the crowd.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 117–118The steward confesses to save the innocent Christian from hanging; the Wali punishes on confession, not on knowing the true cause.read · scan
- p. 118Each man in turn confesses to spare another; the Wali frees and condemns by confession, though all are innocent of intended murder.read · scan
- p. 417The Sultan apologizes for nearly executing Ala-ed-Din unjustly; Ala-ed-Din says he did nothing contrary to law.read · scan
- p. 440Marjaneh's act is vindicated once the guest is exposed as the treacherous robber captain; Ali Baba recompenses her.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 112–114Kinmont Willie is rescued from an unjust imprisonment made against truce.read · scan
William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas MoreVol. 36
- p. 125More defends himself at trial against false evidence.read · scan
- p. 125Without malice there is no offence and no death penalty; he defends himself against slander.read · scan
- p. 125Witnesses fail to support Rich, yet the jury convicts More anyway.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 172Cellini is falsely accused by a man he had benefited; he feels innocent and unafraid.read · scan
- p. 173Accuser exposed publicly; Niccolo predicts vengeance and warns of danger from powerful enemies.read · scan
- p. 204–207He protests that the Church repays loyal service with imprisonment; the Pope is shamed when the records show nothing missing, yet they plot his death.read · scan
- p. 213The castellan pleads that Cellini was no accomplice and saves his life from the Pope's fury.read · scan
- p. 222Pucci and the Cardinal plead for Cellini's pardon; the Pope, ashamed, promises to make up for his imprisonment.read · scan
- p. 224–225The Governor declares Cellini pardoned and imprisoned without guilt, and free by the Pope's authority.read · scan
- p. 230–231He compares his unjust sentence with Christ and the disciples, who were condemned unjustly.read · scan
- p. 237He protests that his innocence is made to pay debts not his own, submitting to God's will.read · scan
- p. 244–245The sonnet calls for the gates of Justice to open and impious Rage to fall chained.read · scan
- p. 273–274He argues that freeing the innocent and talented is a benefit recorded in the book of God.read · scan
- p. 339The Duke admits Cellini was innocent and wrongly imprisoned, almost begging pardon, blaming his father.read · scan
- p. 361The Duke's anger turns against the deceivers and the matter is dropped.read · scan
Sir Philip Sidney, The Defense of PoesyVol. 27
- p. 21History shows the just Phocion and Socrates killed as traitors.read · scan
Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Life Is a DreamVol. 26
- p. 7He protests imprisonment as wrong done to a guiltless man, punishment without crime.read · scan
- p. 7If murder is nature's law, men abuse liberty to wrong one innocent man; he is punished without guilt.read · scan
- p. 37Segismund protests his wrongful imprisonment and demands retribution, while Clotaldo pleads fidelity.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 273–274Jesus was put to death by forms of justice, more ignominious than sedition; Pilate's false justice only makes him suffer.read · scan
- p. 298Unjust persecutors of those whom God visibly protects.read · scan
Jean Racine, PhaedraVol. 26
- p. 177–180Hippolytus, unjustly accused, keeps silent and loses friends.read · scan
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna von Barnhelm, or The Soldier's FortuneVol. 26
- p. 354–355His bill disputed and his good deed misread; Minna says truth must come to light.read · scan
- p. 356–357Tellheim demands justice rather than favour and vindication before his calumniators.read · scan
- p. 365–366Tellheim marvels at the king's justice and clemency in vindicating him and annulling claims against him.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 231–232Renzo insists he did not steal the loaf but found it, and would pay its owner.read · scan
- p. 635–636Don Abbondio pleads for Renzo's pardon, minimizing his outlawry for the Milan insurrection; the Marquis's influence can obtain acquittal.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 135–136Innocent queen falsely accused and condemned, then vindicated; the slanderous step-mother punished by burning.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 334Beatrice denies parricide but rejoices that others sent her father's soul to ask the mercy he denied her, trusting innocence before mortal judges.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 279Eliza is vindicated as innocent at the last moment when her brothers are freed and she speaks.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, On LibertyVol. 25
- p. 218–219Socrates and Christ were judicially condemned, examples of judicial iniquity against the best of men.read · scan
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1307A parable: a statue of Justice presides over a city until laws are corrupted; an innocent orphan is executed and heaven vindicates her.read · scan
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