Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
the law is an ass. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
the law is an ass, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
the law is an ass in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
the law is an ass you have here. The definition of the word
the law is an ass will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
the law is an ass, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Alternative forms
Proverb
the law is an ass
- The law, as created by legislators or as administered by the justice system, cannot be relied upon to be sensible or fair.
1838, Charles Dickens, chapter 61, in Oliver Twist:"If the law supposes that," said Mr. Bumble, squeezing his hat emphatically in both hands, "the law is a ass—a idiot."
1917, Henry De Vere Stacpoole, chapter 29, in The Man Who Lost Himself:I'm not one of those who think the Law is an ass, no, there's a great deal of common sense in the Law of England.
1994 May 14, James Cusick, “Loophole gives knifeman freedom”, in The Independent, UK, retrieved 18 July 2014:Mr Bell said: "The law is an ass. It is a shocking situation when a dangerous criminal can walk free by evading recapture for a month."
2013 July 16, Kathleen Parker, “Unanswered questions in Trayvon Martin case”, in Washington Post, retrieved 18 July 2014:[N]o matter the legal definitions that guided them, it seems impossible that someone’s young son, guilty of nothing, should die while his killer walks. Adages become such for a reason: The law is an ass.
Translations
law cannot be trusted to be sensible or fair