Private property is held sacred in all good governments…
“Private property is held sacred in all good governments, and particularly in our own. Yet shall the fear of invading it prevent a general from marching his army over a cornfield or burning a house which protects the enemy? A thousand other instances might be cited to show that laws must sometimes be silent when necessity speaks.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Property is sacred, yet extreme necessity may force actions that violate laws, suggesting law can be silent when survival demands.
In simple terms: Even sacred laws may be broken when essential needs arise.
Key Takeaway
Balance respect for law with pragmatic necessity.
Themes
law
property
necessity
ethics
government
military action
Mood
thoughtful
serious
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- warfare decisions
- emergency governance
- civil disobedience
- policy making
Key Concepts
legal philosophy
moral dilemmas
state authority
Questions to Reflect On
- When should law yield to necessity?
- What safeguards prevent abuse?
A Different Perspective
Prioritizing necessity over law can erode legal stability.