A lawyer, in whom an instinct for justice had survived the wreck of his ignorance of the law, was retained to defend a burglar. The police had apprehended the burglar after a desperate struggle with an accomplice who was still at large.
During a consultation with his client, the lawyer asked, "Do you have any accomplices?"
"Yes, sir," replied the burglar. "I have two, but neither has been captured. I hired one to defend me against capture, and you to defend me against conviction."
This candid response deeply impressed the lawyer. After learning that the burglar had accumulated no money from his profession, the lawyer decided to withdraw from the case.
The moral
True justice cannot be served when the pursuit of defense is rooted in deceit and exploitation.
Discussion questions
- What does the burglar's admission reveal about his character and values?
- How does the lawyer's reaction reflect his moral stance on justice?
- In what ways does this story provide a humorous perspective on serious topics?
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Read it in another language
- ثلاثة من نفس النوع. · العربية
- Drei Gleiche · Deutsch
- Tres del mismo tipo. · Español
- سه تا از یک نوع · فارسی
- Trois d'un même genre. · Français
- तीन एक जैसे। · हिन्दी
- Tre dello stesso tipo. · Italiano
- Três de um tipo · Português
- Тройка. · Русский
- మూడు ఒకే రకం. · తెలుగు
- Tatlong Magkakapareho. · Tagalog
- Три однакові. · Українська
- 三条 · 中文
Good night.
Tomorrow night: The Fox and the Crane
