'Since Cain, no punishment has proved to be an adequate remedy.'
The barrister says to his examiners that he doesn't need to tell them who the author of the quote is, and they all nod knowingly.
I haven't a clue, can anyone help?
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MovieChat Forums > Krótki film o zabijaniu (1995) Discussion > 'Since Cain, no punishment has proved to...
A quick Google search shows that Karl Marx once wrote something very similar, which would explain why a bunch of lawyers in Communist Poland would be expected to recognize the quote and its source.
-- TopFrog
Awesome, makes sense, thanks!
"since Cain the world has neither been intimidated nor ameliorated by punishment" That must be it, http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1853/02/18.htm
I'm glad someone else asked that question because I didn't know either! lol
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The above is correct. The actual Marx quote is I believe "there is such a thing as statistics — which prove with the most complete evidence that since Cain the world has neither been intimidated nor ameliorated by punishment."
I didn't know either, but I don't think most people would? lol.
Interesting quote, I wouldn't say I agree with it.
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I believe the writers are playing with pun here. The Cain sentence might have connections to a Marxist statement but also possibly refers to Cain - the son of Adam and Eve, who killed his brother Abel and was condemned for life. Observe what the lawyer says immediately after that, Something like - "Do I have to mention the author?". Yes, he might be referring to Marx but by the amused reaction of the jury it seems the source of the joke is biblical.
It also makes sense since the movie was adapted from a chapter of Decalogue, which in turn is based on the Ten Commandments.
This is what I figured.
shareIt's not a pun. It's a rough quote from Marx, as noted in another comment above, who was himself referencing Cain from the Bible. Not too complicated.
shareI think the quote is misguided and woefully wrong.
If only we were amongst friends...or sane persons!