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He proved that it was equally true if the disregard was by…

“He proved that it was equally true if the disregard was by a ruler or by a people. "It spreads like a disease," he said. "And it's infinitely more deadly when the law is disregarded by men pretending to act for justice than when it's simply inefficient, or even when its elected administrator's are…” quote by Walter Van Tilburg Clark
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““He proved that it was equally true if the disregard was by a ruler or by a people. "It spreads like a disease," he said. "And it's infinitely more deadly when the law is disregarded by men pretending to act for justice than when it's simply inefficient, or even when its elected administrator's are crooked.””

Walter Van Tilburg Clark

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Disregarding law, whether by leaders or masses, spreads like a disease and becomes deadly when justified as justice.

In simple terms: Ignoring law harms society, especially when cloaked in false justice.

Key Takeaway

Beware of false righteousness.

Themes

law justice corruption society

Mood

cautious critical

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • political leadership
  • civil activism
  • legal reform
  • media criticism

Key Concepts

ethical decay power abuse public trust

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do we differentiate legitimate protest from harmful law‑breaking?
  • What safeguards prevent misuse of “justice” rhetoric?
A Different Perspective

The quote assumes all law‑breakers are equally dangerous, ignoring nuance.

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