If [the legislature] will positively enact a thing to be…
![“If [the legislature] will positively enact a thing to be done, the judges are not at liberty to reject it, for that were to set the judicial power above that of the legislature, which would be subversive of all government.” quote by William Blackstone](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/0c9/william-blackstone-14453_done_if-the-legislature-will-positively-enact_3055525.png)
“If [the legislature] will positively enact a thing to be done, the judges are not at liberty to reject it, for that were to set the judicial power above that of the legislature, which would be subversive of all government.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Legislative authority supersedes judicial discretion; judges must follow enacted law.
In simple terms: Judges cannot reject laws made by parliament.
Key Takeaway
Respect legislative decisions, uphold rule of law.
Themes
law
authority
judicial restraint
Mood
formal
historical
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- court rulings
- policy implementation
- legal education
Key Concepts
constitutional theory
separation of powers
Questions to Reflect On
- When should judges challenge legislation?
- How to balance law and morality?
A Different Perspective
Rigid adherence may ignore unjust laws.