Henry,” Robbins said, looking not at him but out to the…
““Henry,” Robbins said, looking not at him but out to the other side ofthe road, “the law will protect you as a master to your slave, and it will not flinch when it protects you. That protection lasts from here”—and he pointed to an imaginary place in the road—“all the way to the death ofthat property”—and he pointed to a place a few feet from the first place. “But the law expects you to know what is master and what is slave. And it does not matter ifyou are not much more darker than your slave. The law is blind to that. You are the master and that is all the law wants to know. The law will come to you and stand behind you. But ifyou roll around and be a playmate to your property, and your property turns round and bites you, the law will come to you still, but it will not come with the full heart and all the deliberate speed that you will need. You will have failed in your part ofthe bargain. You will have pointed to the line that separates you from your property and told your property that the line does not matter.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Legal protection favors masters over slaves, but the law is blind to moral nuances, leading to eventual consequences for misuse.
In simple terms: Law protects owners but ignores deeper ethics.
Key Takeaway
Recognize moral responsibilities beyond legal rights.
Themes
law
ownership
morality
power
consequences
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- property disputes
- labor relations
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
ethical responsibility
justice
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do owners have beyond the law?
- How can law reflect moral considerations?
A Different Perspective
Legal protection may not prevent exploitation.