Meaning & Analysis
The outcome of a legal matter is determined not by the principles of law, but by the social connections and influence of the people involved.
Insights
Corruption of Justice
The proverb serves as a critique of systemic corruption, suggesting that formal systems of rules ('the law') are inherently vulnerable to manipulation by powerful social networks and personal influence.
Social Inequality
It highlights the theme of social inequality, where the law is not a great equalizer but a tool that reinforces existing power structures, benefiting the well-connected ('friended') at the expense of others.
The Power of Networks
Beyond the courtroom, 'the law' can symbolize any official set of rules or procedures. The proverb implies that in any bureaucratic or social system, who you know is more important than what is right or fair.
Historical Cynicism
Originating in the 16th century, the proverb reflects deep-seated cynicism towards the Tudor legal system, where justice was often subject to the influence of patronage, wealth, and social connections rather than impartial legal principles.
Psychology of Powerlessness
The proverb captures the psychological experience of living within a hierarchical society, fostering a worldview where personal connections are perceived as more critical to outcomes than merit or fairness, a sentiment that undermines faith in institutions.
Enduring Relevance
This proverb's theme is a timeless critique of legal systems, resonating with modern concerns about judicial bias, the influence of wealth in legal defense, and how social networks can impact the application of justice.
Rhetorical Devices
Rhyme
The perfect rhyme of 'friended' and 'ended' creates a memorable, aphoristic quality, making the cynical observation sound like an undeniable and conclusive truth.
Parallel Structure
The 'As... so...' construction establishes a direct and seemingly inevitable causal link between social connections and legal outcomes, reinforcing the proverb's deterministic and cynical tone.
Conciseness
The proverb's brevity and directness make its critique of the legal system sharp and impactful, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Transcription
Quotations
It is reserved to the assize, where as men be friended, so (they say) things be ended.
For (as hyt ys commynly and truly also sayd) materys be endyd as they be frendyd.
The lawe is ended, as a man is frynded.
Yet sum say, sumtime, that the law is eended, In sum case, in sum place: as folke are freended.
Now commonly the law is ended as a man is fri[e]nded.
Remember this old law, As men are friended, So either right or wrong their sutes are ended.
(so his cause is ended).
(is befriended).
(so is his difference, or cause ended).
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.