If freedom makes social progress possible, so social progress strengthens and enlarges freedom. The two are inseparable partners in the great adventure of humanity.
Robert KennedyRead
Circumstances of crimes vary. So do motives. And so do prospects for rehabilitation. The number of imponderables makes it impossible to sentence by formula and still sentence justly.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The complexities of circumstances and motives in crimes make it difficult to establish a fair sentencing formula.
Robert Kennedy highlights the intricacies involved in understanding crimes, suggesting that each case is unique due to the varying circumstances, motives, and potential for rehabilitation. He argues that relying on a formulaic approach to sentencing fails to account for these nuances and ultimately undermines the pursuit of justice.
Themes
JusticeRehabilitationCrimeSentencingMotivesCircumstances
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the legal system at a community meeting.
More from Robert Kennedy
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Within the United States, we have put great emphasis upon political freedoms. Because it has been our experience that these freedoms can lead to others.
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It is one thing to open job opportunities. It is another to train people to fill them, or to persuade American enterprise to seek Negro as well as white applicants.
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Our attitude towards immigration reflects our faith in the American ideal. We have always believed it possible for men and women who start at the bottom to rise as far as the talent and energy allow. Neither race nor place of birth should affect their chances.
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The Gross National Product measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country. It measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile, and it can tell us everything about America - except whether we are proud to be Americans.
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