All you have to do, is to see whether the law takes from…
“All you have to do, is to see whether the law takes from some what belongs to them in order to give it to others to whom it does not belong. We must see whether the law performs, for the profit of one citizen and to the detriment of others, an act which that citizen could not perform himself without being guilty of a crime. Repeal such a law without delay. ... [I]f you don't take care, what begins by being an exception tends to become general, to multiply itself, and to develop into a veritable system.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Laws should not favor one citizen at the expense of others; unjust laws become systemic abuse
In simple terms: Unjust laws create inequality and must be repealed promptly
Key Takeaway
Guard against laws that privilege few
Themes
law
justice
economics
Mood
critical
educational
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legislative review
- civil rights advocacy
- public education
Key Concepts
Legal theory
public policy
ethical governance
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards prevent law abuse?
- How can citizens influence fair legislation?
A Different Perspective
Repealing laws can be politically difficult