The phrase ‘where civil blood makes civil hands unclean’ comes from William Shakespeare’s play ‘Romeo and Juliet’. It refers to the idea that the violence and bloodshed between two feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets, corrupts the people involved. In a broader sense, it highlights how societal conflicts and personal actions can taint one’s morals and principles.
In this context, ‘civil blood’ symbolizes the loss of life among people who are supposed to coexist peacefully in society. The ‘unclean hands’ suggest that when individuals take part in these conflicts, they become morally compromised. This phrase captures the theme of the destructive consequences of hatred and violence, indicating that even those who are meant to be ‘civilized’ are not immune to the corruption brought about by strife and discord.