"Frequently you have a clash between the more sterile letter of the law and the justice that underlies it, and I think one of the things I've been trying more or less, where it was possible, is to go with the justice rather than the letter of the law"

Harold H. Greene's quote explores the tension in between the rigorous application of legal guidelines and the overarching concepts of justice they are indicated to serve. The "sterile letter of the law" refers to a stiff and literal analysis of legal texts, which, while precise and foreseeable, can often be devoid of the consideration for the human situations they affect. In contrast, the "justice that underlies it" indicate the more comprehensive, more abstract ideals of fairness, equity, and ethical rightness that laws are meant to support.

Greene acknowledges a judicial and moral obstacle: the regular clash in between strictly adhering to legal texts and aiming to achieve just results in specific cases. His technique recommends a preference for a more flexible interpretation where possible, aiming to line up judicial judgments with the spirit of justice. This point of view highlights the dynamic nature of law as a living structure that must adjust to diverse and developing human contexts.

By prioritizing justice over the letter of the law, Greene supporters for a legal system that is not simply mechanical but understanding and grounded in ethical considerations. This viewpoint recognizes that laws, as composed texts, are naturally minimal and can not prepare for every potential scenario or consider every nuance of human behavior. Judges, therefore, sometimes face the obstacle of analyzing these laws in ways that honor their desired purpose without being bound completely by their actual phrasing.

Greene's position is particularly appropriate in cases where stiff legal interpretation could cause disproportionately harsh outcomes or perpetuate injustices. It shows an understanding that while laws provide essential structure and order, they need to be used with knowledge and humankind. This approach demands a careful balancing act, protecting the guideline of law while ensuring specific cases are dealt with in a way that really serves justice.