Goddammit. Yeah, I have. First, there's a huge difference…
“Goddammit. Yeah, I have. First, there's a huge difference between being arrested and being guilty. Second, see, the law changes and I don't. How I stand vis-à-vis the law at any given moment depends on the law. The law can change from state to state, from nation to nation, from city to city. I guess I have to go by a higher law. How's that? Yeah, I consider myself a road man for the lords of karma.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Law varies by jurisdiction; personal conscience may demand a higher moral standard than statutes.
In simple terms: Law changes, but personal ethics stay constant.
Key Takeaway
Follow a higher moral law when statutes conflict with conscience.
Themes
law
morality
conscience
individualism
Mood
rebellious
reflective
Type
philosophical
provocative
When to use this quote
- protest
- legal defense
- public speaking
- writing
Key Concepts
legal relativism
ethical absolutism
civil disobedience
Questions to Reflect On
- When should one obey unjust laws?
- What defines a “higher law”?
A Different Perspective
Legal consequences can be severe; personal risk may be high.