• Rhaedas@kbin.social
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    11 months ago

    “I’ve never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure” - Clarence Darrow

    • Jaderick@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      I’ve never understood this line of thinking. Can someone explain why there’s a “don’t speak ill of the dead” sentiment?

      Death is the great equalizer and I definitely celebrate when people who think themselves and act higher than their fellow humans die.

      • reddit_sux@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        It is said ‘don’t speak ill of the dead’ because they are no longer present to defend themselves.

        In this case the man is so steeped in evil that there is only ill to be said about him.

        • agent_flounder@lemmy.world
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          11 months ago

          Indeed. Thee millions whose death he is responsible for couldn’t defend themselves, either so it only seems fair to say Kissinger’s is a small spark of good news in this grim world he shaped and darkened.

      • Pips@lemmy.sdf.org
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        11 months ago

        This quote is about never wishing a man dead. Clarence Darrow was a famous late 19th to early 20th century litigator who vehemently opposed the death penalty. He’d never wish anyone dead, he’s fundamentally opposed to death as a punishment, but that doesn’t mean he’s sad when a bad person dies.