"All murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets"

This quote by Voltaire is a commentary on the hypocrisy of justice systems. He is suggesting that those who dedicate murder are typically penalized, however those who devote mass murder are often renowned and glorified. This is a referral to the way that war is frequently glorified and those who dedicate atrocities in the name of war are typically celebrated as heroes. Voltaire is recommending that justice systems are frequently prejudiced which those who commit mass murder are frequently not held liable for their actions. He is likewise recommending that justice systems are typically more worried with the scale of the criminal offense than the real criminal offense itself. This quote is a reminder that justice systems must be fair and objective, and that those who dedicate mass murder need to be held accountable for their actions.