--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Let me not be understood as saying that…" description: "\"“Let me not be understood as saying that there are no bad laws, nor that grievances may not arise for the redress of which no legal provisions have bee..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/abraham-lincoln-88_bad-laws_let-me-not-be-understood-as-saying-that_604704.png" --- # Let me not be understood as saying that there are no bad… ![“Let me not be understood as saying that there are no bad laws, nor that grievances may not arise for the redress of which no legal provisions have been made. I mean to say no such thing. But I do mean to say that although bad laws, if they exist, should be repealed as soon as possible, still…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/abraham-lincoln-88_bad-laws_let-me-not-be-understood-as-saying-that_604704.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/abraham-lincoln-88_bad-laws_let-me-not-be-understood-as-saying-that_604704.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e4/abraham-lincoln-88_bad-laws_let-me-not-be-understood-as-saying-that_604704.png) > ““Let me not be understood as saying that there are no bad laws, nor that grievances may not arise for the redress of which no legal provisions have been made. I mean to say no such thing. But I do mean to say that although bad laws, if they exist, should be repealed as soon as possible, still, while they continue in force, for the sake of example they should be religiously observed.”” [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Bad laws should be repealed, but while they remain, they must be obeyed to set an example. **In simple terms:** Obey unjust laws until they are changed. Key Takeaway Follow the law, work to change it. Themes law morality obedience Mood thoughtful concerned Type political philosophical When to use this quote - legislative reform - civil disobedience - public policy - judicial review Key Concepts legal theory ethical pragmatism Questions to Reflect On - When is civil disobedience justified? - How can we balance respect for law with moral duty? A Different Perspective Blind obedience can perpetuate injustice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-laws/) [Laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laws/) ## Related quotes > [When I so pressingly urge a strict observance of all the laws, let me not be understood as saying there are no bad laws,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/when-i-so-pressingly-urge-a-strict-observance-of-all-the-laws-let-me/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“If I understand you right,' he says, 'you're saying that you're basically a calculating manipulative person who always says what you think will get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/if-i-understand-you-right-he-says-you-re-saying-that-you-re-basically/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [“Yes, you’re like her, but not just like her. Do you follow me?” I thought I understood what she was saying, but I shook…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-carlino/yes-you-re-like-her-but-not-just-like-her-do-you-follow-me-i-thought/) [Renée Carlino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-carlino/) > [A way of looking at you that told you she was listening, that she understood all you were saying, and all you weren't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-morton/a-way-of-looking-at-you-that-told-you-she-was-listening-that-she/) [Kate Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-morton/) > [Property does not exist because there are laws, but laws exist because there is property.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/property-does-not-exist-because-there-are-laws-but-laws-exist-because/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [We chase gravity of the micro world, but after leaving its world we try to perfect the laws here that do not exist there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akiane-kramarik/we-chase-gravity-of-the-micro-world-but-after-leaving-its-world-we/) [Akiane Kramarik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akiane-kramarik/) > [The millions of laws which exist for the regulation of humanity appear upon investigation to be divided into three principal categories: protection of property,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kropotkin/the-millions-of-laws-which-exist-for-the-regulation-of-humanity/) [Peter Kropotkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kropotkin/) > [One of the advantages of having laws is the pleasure one may take in breaking them. We here are not children, Mr. Gurgeh." 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It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/all-that-i-am-or-ever-hope-to-be-i-owe-to-my-angel-mother/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If you wish to be a lawyer, attach no consequence to the place you are in, or the person you are with; but get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/if-you-wish-to-be-a-lawyer-attach-no-consequence-to-the-place-you-are/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [As we keep or break the Sabbath Day we nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope by which man rises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/as-we-keep-or-break-the-sabbath-day-we-nobly-save-or-meanly-lose-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Tell the truth and you won't have so much to remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/tell-the-truth-and-you-won-t-have-so-much-to-remember/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [With high hope for the future, no prediction is ventured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/with-high-hope-for-the-future-no-prediction-is-ventured/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We know, Southern men declare that their slaves are better off than hired laborers amongst us. How little they know, whereof they speak! There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/we-know-southern-men-declare-that-their-slaves-are-better-off-than/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I am glad to see that a system of labor prevails under which laborers can strike when they want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-am-glad-to-see-that-a-system-of-labor-prevails-under-which-laborers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I don't like that man. I must get to know him better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-don-t-like-that-man-i-must-get-to-know-him-better/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and to the young, it comes with bitterest agony because it takes them unawares.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-this-sad-world-of-ours-sorrow-comes-to-all-and-to-the-young-it/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am. None who would do more to preserve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-man-does-not-live-who-is-more-devoted-to-peace-than-i-am-none-who/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) [Explore all 1,437 Abraham Lincoln quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## More Bad laws quotes > [Bad facts make bad law, and people who write bad laws are in my opinion more dangerous than songwriters who celebrate sexuality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/bad-facts-make-bad-law-and-people-who-write-bad-laws-are-in-my/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/bad-laws-are-the-worst-sort-of-tyranny/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [When I so pressingly urge a strict observance of all the laws, let me not be understood as saying there are no bad laws,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/when-i-so-pressingly-urge-a-strict-observance-of-all-the-laws-let-me/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“The visitor shrugged. "Like euthanasia? I'm sorry, Father, I feel that the laws of a society are what make something a crime or not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-m-miller-jr/the-visitor-shrugged-like-euthanasia-i-m-sorry-father-i-feel-that-the/) [Walter M. Miller Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-m-miller-jr/) > [“When EVIL men make bad laws, righteous men disobey them." Pastor Butch Paugh”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarrin-p-lupo/when-evil-men-make-bad-laws-righteous-men-disobey-them-pastor-butch/) Tarrin P. Lupo > [It is difficult to make our material condition better by the best law, but it is easy enough to ruin it by bad laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/it-is-difficult-to-make-our-material-condition-better-by-the-best-law/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [It may be said that the power of preventing bad laws includes that of preventing good ones; and may be used to the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-may-be-said-that-the-power-of-preventing-bad-laws-includes-that-of/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Anyone who takes it upon himself, on his private authority, to break a bad law, thereby authorizes everyone else to break the good ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-diderot/anyone-who-takes-it-upon-himself-on-his-private-authority-to-break-a/) [Denis Diderot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-diderot/) > [Some of us do not accept the Establishment myth that bad laws must be obeyed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-driberg/some-of-us-do-not-accept-the-establishment-myth-that-bad-laws-must-be/) Tom Driberg > [“In short, we do not get good laws to restrain bad people. We get good people to restrain bad laws.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/in-short-we-do-not-get-good-laws-to-restrain-bad-people-we-get-good/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [Bad facts make bad law, and people who write bad laws are in my opinion more dangerous than songwriters who celebrate sexuality. Freedom of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-zappa/bad-facts-make-bad-law-and-people-who-write-bad-laws-are-in-my-2/) [Frank Zappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-zappa/) > [The best use of good laws is to teach men to trample bad laws under their feet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-phillips/the-best-use-of-good-laws-is-to-teach-men-to-trample-bad-laws-under/) [Wendell Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-phillips/) > [We cannot, by total reliance on law, escape the duty to judge right and wrong... 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Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) [Browse all 26 Bad laws quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-laws/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Let me not be understood as saying that there are no bad laws, nor that grievances may not arise for the redress of which no legal provisions have been made. I mean to say no such thing. 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