Judge by cause, not by effect.
Judge by cause, not by effect.
Meaning in plain English
Judgment directed to cause instead of effect gives explanation priority over the visible outcome. The saying asks what produced an event before evaluating it.
Example
A team investigates why an error happened while still addressing the harm it produced.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
A responsible reading does not erase consequences or make an asserted motive a complete excuse. A useful application examines causes alongside effects and accountability. The exact philosophical distinction is unverified, and one result may not reveal a single cause.
When to use it
Use it to include causes in judgment without disregarding consequences.
Keep in mind
No universal judgment rule or exemption from responsibility through motive is established.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Country attributed by the collection
Egypt · source-attributed; earliest origin unverified
- Source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference
Supplied reference B; unit 616; PDF page 56; collection label: Egypt
Reuse and collection notes ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · supplied collection
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Contributor-confirmed reuse permission
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗