“A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats.”
- January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790
- American
- Polymath, Founding Father of the United States, Inventor, Diplomat, Writer
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Quote
“A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats.”
Explanation
In this vivid simile, Benjamin Franklin warns of the vulnerability of ordinary people when caught between professionals with conflicting interests—in this case, lawyers. The “countryman” represents the average, perhaps less experienced individual, while the “two cats” symbolize lawyers whose skills and motivations may lead them to consume or exploit the unprotected party, much like cats pouncing on a helpless fish.
Franklin, ever skeptical of unchecked authority and professional manipulation, used humor and metaphor to highlight power imbalances. In 18th-century America, legal knowledge was inaccessible to most, and courts were often viewed with suspicion by common folk. Franklin’s quote critiques the tendency of legal systems to become predatory or self-serving, especially when the uninformed are involved.
This warning still holds true today, as individuals navigating complex legal or bureaucratic systems can feel overwhelmed or taken advantage of. Whether in litigation, contracts, or negotiations, Franklin reminds us of the importance of knowledge, transparency, and fair representation. The quote continues to serve as a sharp commentary on professional power dynamics and a call for justice that protects, rather than exploits, the less powerful.
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