More Yes. What would you do? Cut a great road through the…
““More Yes. What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil? Roper I’d cut down every law in England to do that! More (roused and excited) Oh? (Advances on Roper.) And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned round on you where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? (Leaves him.) This country’s planted thick with laws from coast to coast – Man’s laws, not God’s—and if you cut them down – and you’re just the man to do it – d’you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? (Quietly.) Yes, I’d give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety’s sake.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker challenges the idea that eliminating all laws would protect against evil, suggesting that lawlessness creates chaos and vulnerability.
In simple terms: Removing laws doesn’t protect you from evil.
Key Takeaway
Don’t assume lawlessness is safety.
Themes
law
ethics
power
consequences
Mood
tense
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
dialogue
When to use this quote
- political debate
- legal reform
- personal ethics
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
anarchism
social order
responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- What would replace order if all laws vanished?
- Can chaos be a better protector than law?
A Different Perspective
A world without laws may be more dangerous than the devil itself.