I say that you cannot administer a wicked law impartially…
“I say that you cannot administer a wicked law impartially. You can only destroy. You can only punish. I warn you that a wicked law, like cholera, destroys everyone it touches - its upholders as well as its defiers.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A law rooted in evil cannot be applied fairly; it inevitably harms both enforcers and violators.
In simple terms: Unjust laws damage everyone.
Key Takeaway
Question the morality of laws.
Themes
justice
law
ethics
Mood
critical
serious
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- civil rights activism
- judicial reform
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
legal theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What laws in your society might be inherently unjust?
- How can societies protect against corrupt legislation?
A Different Perspective
Even well‑intentioned enforcement can perpetuate harm.