I had been brought up in the law and had this sort of…
“I had been brought up in the law and had this sort of instinct that international law operates and was there to protect principles and not to be the plaything of power and might - which I now know, of course, to be an absolute nonsense. International law should be spelled l-o-r-e.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker critiques international law as ineffective, arguing it often serves power rather than principles, and suggests it should be spelled "lore".
In simple terms: International law often fails to protect principles, serving power instead.
Key Takeaway
Question the effectiveness of international law.
Themes
politics
law
power
principles
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- diplomacy
- human rights advocacy
- policy reform
- academic debate
Key Concepts
sovereignty
legal theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What examples show international law working?
- How can law be reformed to serve principles?
A Different Perspective
The view is highly cynical and may overlook successes of international law.