4 ms·

If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest of men, I will find something in them which will hang him. -- Often attributed to Cardinal Rich

• jaynos 13y ago
  "Often attributed"...I like that hedge.
  • deleted 13y ago
    [deleted]
• tedunangst 13y ago
  That quote doesn't really work for me, because it seems to be assuming that no other lines are available to provide context. Or rather, instead of meaning "everybody is guilty of something", I interpret the message as warning about the dangers of relying on a quote taken out of context.
  • Lagged2Death 13y ago
    ...instead of meaning "everybody is guilty of something", I interpret the message as warning about the dangers of relying on a quote taken out of context. It's not a concerned person's warning, it's a gloating celebration of ruthlessness, of power, and of the inconsequentiality of facts. It's bragging. If your every statement is recorded, it will be possible to find something in that record to make trouble for you, should powerful parties feel the need. "Guilt" and "innocence" are, in this context, meaningless abstractions.