As soon as you begin to say We have always done things…
“As soon as you begin to say We have always done things this way -- perhaps that might be a better way, conscious law-making is beginning. As soon as you begin to say We do things this way -- they do things that way -- what is to be done about it? men are beginning to feel towards justice, that resides between the endless jar of right and wrong.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote warns that invoking tradition to justify law can mask the need for reform, and that justice lies between rigid right‑wrong binaries.
In simple terms: Tradition can hide the need for change; justice is nuanced.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions and seek balanced solutions.
Themes
justice
law
tradition
reform
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy review
- court decisions
- public debates
- legislative drafting
Key Concepts
Ethics
critical thinking
legal philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does tradition influence current laws?
- What balances right and wrong in justice?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex legal issues.