Justice is blind

Posted by David FG on May 21, 2005

In Reply to: Justice is blind posted by Victoria S Dennis on May 21, 2005

: : What's the origin or meaning behind "justice is blind, not deaf"?

: : The traditional visual symbol of "Justice" is a blindfolded woman holding scales and a sword. The scales are for weighing right and wrong; the sword is to punish the guilty; the blindfold is to show that she is impartial (i.e. that she does not treat friends differently from strangers, or high-ranking people better than humble ones, because she does not "see" them). But she is not deaf, because she listens to all the evidence put before her.

That is an 'old wive's tale.' Justice is NOT blindfold.

DFG

• Justice is blind Victoria S Dennis 22/May/05
  • Justice is blind David FG 22/May/05
    • Blindingly obvious Lewis 26/May/05