Murder is a horror, but an often necessary horror, never…
“Murder is a horror, but an often necessary horror, never criminal, which it is essential to tolerate in a republican State. Is it or is it not a crime? If it is not, why make laws for its punishment? And if it is, by what barbarous logic do you, to punish it, duplicate it by another crime?”
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 argues that killing can be justified by the state and questions the moral basis of criminal law against murder.
In simple terms: Killing may be seen as necessary by a state, challenging legal norms.
Key Takeaway
Question the justification of laws on killing.
Themes
ethics
law
state power
violence
philosophy
Mood
provocative
critical
philosophical
Type
argumentative
controversial
ethical
When to use this quote
- war
- self‑defense
- capital punishment
- revolutionary movements
Key Concepts
social contract
moral relativism
state authority
Questions to Reflect On
- Is any act ever truly necessary for the state?
- How do societies decide which harms are punishable?
A Different Perspective
Legal systems often rely on moral consensus, which can be contested.