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Observe, gentlemen, that this is a universal distinction: it does not apply only to questions of homicide. If a man strike another, giving the first blow, says the law. The implication is that he is not guilty, if the blow was defensive. If a man revile another,—with false hoods, the law adds, implying that, if he speaks the truth, he is justified. If a man slay another with malice aforethought,—indicating that it is not the same thing if he does it unintentionally. If a man injures another with intention, wrongfully. Everywhere we shall find that it is the motive that fixes the character of the act. But not with you: you say, without qualification, if any man slay Charidemus, he shall be seized, though he do it unwittingly, or righteously, or in self-defence, or for a purpose permitted by law, or in any way whatsoever.
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Read the statute that comes next.
51
Statute
51
No man shall be liable to proceedings for murder because he lays information against exiles, if any such exile return to a prohibited place.