also,
when we think the _existing laws and punishments are wrong_,
and hence venture to encourage others in disobedience by
neglecting to indict and punish offenders, it should make us
pause and halt when it is remembered, it may turn out that
_we_ ourselves _may not be exactly Solons or Solomons_ in
these respects, nor quite so much wiser than the laws
themselves, as sometimes we are hastily induced to suppose."
"Miserable must be the fate of that community where the
ministers of the law are themselves disposed to disregard
it;" "government will become a curse;" "and this whether
such a _betrayal of public trust_ springs from the
_delusions of false philanthropy or fanatical prejudices, no
less than when it comes from unbridled licentiousness_."

"We must not lay the flattering unction to our souls, that
because by some _possibility there may not be guilt_, we can
rightfully discharge as if there were no guilt." "It is
sometimes urged against agreeing to indict, convict, or
punish, that we have _conscientious scruples on the
subject_;" "if sincere tenderness of conscience presses on
the heart and mind against executing some of the laws, _it
should lead us to decline office or resign_; not to neglect
or disobey, while in office, what we have promised and sworn
to perform;" [as if the juror swore to do injustice!] "or if
a majority prove unaccommodating or inflexible against us,
then it behooves those differing from them ... _to withdraw
entirely from such a government, and emigrate_." [So the
juror must not try to do justice at home, but seek it in
exile.] "But in all such cases we must take special care not
to indulge ourselves in considering an act as a sin which
_is only disagreeable_, or the result of only some
_prejudice or caprice_." "_The presumptions are that all
laws_, sanctioned by such intelligent, numerous, and
respectable members of society as compose our legislative
bodies, _are constitutional_, and until pronounced otherwise
by the proper tribunal, the judiciary, _it is perilous for
jurors to disobey them_," [that is, to refuse to execute
them] "and it is trifling with their solemn obligations to
_disregard them in any way and on any occasion, from
constitutional doubts_, unless of the clearest and strongest