One who does a thing in order to avoid a monetary penalty…
![“One who does a thing in order to avoid a monetary penalty does not agree; he yields to compulsion precisely the same as though he did so to avoid a term in jail." [Justice George Sutherland, in the majority opinion for the Carter Coal case]” quote by George Sutherland](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/dc9/george-sutherland-37935_law_one-who-does-a-thing-in-order-to-avoid-a_77961.jpg)
““One who does a thing in order to avoid a monetary penalty does not agree; he yields to compulsion precisely the same as though he did so to avoid a term in jail." [Justice George Sutherland, in the majority opinion for the Carter Coal case]””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Compulsion driven by fear of penalty mirrors coercion of imprisonment; true agreement requires voluntary consent.
In simple terms: Penalty avoidance is coercion.
Key Takeaway
Freedom requires choice, not fear.
Themes
ethics
law
autonomy
coercion
consent
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
maxim
legal observation
When to use this quote
- making policy decisions
- negotiating contracts
- evaluating compliance
Key Concepts
moral agency
legal principle
Practical Applications
- designing fair regulations
- educational ethics courses
Questions to Reflect On
- Is compliance without choice truly ethical?
- How does fear shape our decisions?