proverb · Legacy record
Of the ten reasons a judge decides a case, nine will remain unknown.
Of the ten reasons a judge decides a case, nine will remain unknown.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Nine unknown reasons out of ten gives a judicial decision an image of hidden considerations. The saying questions how much an observer knows about a conclusion.
What the words are saying
The numbers are rhetorical rather than measured court data. A responsible interpretation can ask for transparent reasons without alleging motives or giving legal advice. Some decisions may have detailed explanations; the phrase does not establish that a particular process is secret or unfair.
Everyday example
A reader seeks the actual stated reasons for a decision instead of guessing at hidden motives.
When to use it
Use it to discuss transparency with specific evidence requested.
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What it does not mean
No judicial statistic, motive or jurisdiction-specific rule is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
China
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.- Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 249; PDF page 29; collection label: China
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- China