--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A nation that will not enforce its laws…" description: "\"A nation that will not enforce its laws has no claim to the respect and allegiance of its people.\" — Ambrose Bierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e0/ambrose-bierce-140_allegiance_a-nation-that-will-not-enforce-its-laws_695038.jpg" --- # A nation that will not enforce its laws has no claim to… ![“A nation that will not enforce its laws has no claim to the respect and allegiance of its people.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e0/ambrose-bierce-140_allegiance_a-nation-that-will-not-enforce-its-laws_695038.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e0/ambrose-bierce-140_allegiance_a-nation-that-will-not-enforce-its-laws_695038.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e0/ambrose-bierce-140_allegiance_a-nation-that-will-not-enforce-its-laws_695038.jpg) > “A nation that will not enforce its laws has no claim to the respect and allegiance of its people.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A state that fails to enforce its own statutes loses legitimacy and the loyalty of its citizens. **In simple terms:** Enforcement builds respect. Key Takeaway Uphold laws consistently. Themes authority legitimacy obedience Mood critical serious Type essay philosophical When to use this quote - law enforcement - public policy - national identity Key Concepts social order state power citizen loyalty Questions to Reflect On - What balance should exist between enforcement and freedom? - When is civil disobedience justified? A Different Perspective Strict enforcement may suppress dissent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Allegiance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allegiance/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Nation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nation/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) ## Related quotes > [Government has three primary functions. It should provide for military defense of the nation. It should enforce contracts between individuals. It should protect citizens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/government-has-three-primary-functions-it-should-provide-for-military-2/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [Government has three primary functions. It should provide for military defense of the nation. It should enforce contracts between individuals. It should protect citizens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/government-has-three-primary-functions-it-should-provide-for-military/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [“When we are nice to others, we generally lose all claim to their respect.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/when-we-are-nice-to-others-we-generally-lose-all-claim-to-their/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [It is well for a man to respect his own vocation whatever it is and to think himself bound to uphold it and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/it-is-well-for-a-man-to-respect-his-own-vocation-whatever-it-is-and/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [A woman takes off her claim to respect along with her garments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/a-woman-takes-off-her-claim-to-respect-along-with-her-garments/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [JUSTICE, n. A commodity which is a more or less adulterated condition the State sells to the citizen as a reward for his allegiance,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/justice-n-a-commodity-which-is-a-more-or-less-adulterated-condition/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [ROMANCE, n. Fiction that owes no allegiance to the God of Things as They Are. In the novel the writer's thought is tethered to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/romance-n-fiction-that-owes-no-allegiance-to-the-god-of-things-as/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [I'm supposed to enforce the laws of the land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-scott/i-m-supposed-to-enforce-the-laws-of-the-land/) [Rick Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-scott/) > [Our Founding Fathers created the Executive Branch to implement and enforce the laws written by Congress, and vested this power in the president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-rice/our-founding-fathers-created-the-executive-branch-to-implement-and/) Tom Rice > [We cannot expect people to have respect for law and order until we teach respect to those we have entrusted to enforce those laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/we-cannot-expect-people-to-have-respect-for-law-and-order-until-we/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Immigration law doesn't exist for the purpose of keeping criminals out. It exists to protect all aspects of American life, the work site, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/immigration-law-doesn-t-exist-for-the-purpose-of-keeping-criminals-2/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I think that they are hung up on, you know, that people cheat and we don't enforce the laws, and I think that's correct.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kasich/i-think-that-they-are-hung-up-on-you-know-that-people-cheat-and-we/) [John Kasich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kasich/) > [Well, I think we need to have attrition by enforcement. We need to secure our borders. We need to enforce our laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-west/well-i-think-we-need-to-have-attrition-by-enforcement-we-need-to/) [Allen West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-west/) > [People are unwilling to enforce the laws on the books. Instead, they make more laws. Why can't we get this right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-szeliga/people-are-unwilling-to-enforce-the-laws-on-the-books-instead-they/) [Kathy Szeliga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-szeliga/) > [I can get along great with the Hispanics. In fact, I sure would like to meet them, even the politicians, maybe in the back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-arpaio/i-can-get-along-great-with-the-hispanics-in-fact-i-sure-would-like-to/) [Joe Arpaio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-arpaio/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Allegiance quotes > [“Maybe it begins the day you pledge allegiance, face the flag and suddenly clutch your left clavicle because you find a tender puff of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-johnson/maybe-it-begins-the-day-you-pledge-allegiance-face-the-flag-and/) [Marilyn Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-johnson/) > [I was under the influence of the early modern masters, Fitzgerald and Steinbeck and Hemingway, especially, when I was a kid. I reacted against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-stone/i-was-under-the-influence-of-the-early-modern-masters-fitzgerald-and/) [Robert Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-stone/) > [“The Pledge of Allegiance says 'liberty and justice for all'. Which part of 'all' don't you understand?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-schroeder/the-pledge-of-allegiance-says-liberty-and-justice-for-all-which-part/) Pat Schroeder > [They're counting on your patriotism to distract you from their plunder. They're counting on you to be standing at attention with your hand over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-moyers/they-re-counting-on-your-patriotism-to-distract-you-from-their/) [Bill Moyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-moyers/) > [There is a congratulatory culture in the Gulf. From birth onwards, there is a culture of giving people trophies as markers of achievement for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayshay/there-is-a-congratulatory-culture-in-the-gulf-from-birth-onwards/) Ayshay > [“We may give our human loves the unconditional allegiance which we owe only to God. Then they become gods: then they become demons. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/we-may-give-our-human-loves-the-unconditional-allegiance-which-we-owe/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [In my imaginary utopian world there would be a greater allegiance between music writers and musicians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-haines/in-my-imaginary-utopian-world-there-would-be-a-greater-allegiance/) [Emily Haines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-haines/) > [“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the great Republic of America, to our Elector Primo, to our glorious states, to unity against the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-lu/i-pledge-allegiance-to-the-flag-of-the-great-republic-of-america-to/) [Marie Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-lu/) > [Let's do more than say the 'Pledge of Allegiance.' Let us live it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emanuel-cleaver/let-s-do-more-than-say-the-pledge-of-allegiance-let-us-live-it/) [Emanuel Cleaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emanuel-cleaver/) > [All of us ... should remember that no amount of flag-waving, pledging allegiance, or fervent singing of the national anthem is evidence that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-roosevelt/all-of-us-should-remember-that-no-amount-of-flag-waving-pledging/) [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-roosevelt/) > [“We're not to do everything man tells us to do. We are to obey the Lord Jesus Christ, and our allegiance to the state…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-c-morecraft-iii/we-re-not-to-do-everything-man-tells-us-to-do-we-are-to-obey-the-lord/) [Joseph C. Morecraft III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-c-morecraft-iii/) > [Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. To destroy this invisible government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/behind-the-ostensible-government-sits-enthroned-an-invisible/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [“I would find no value in the allegiance of a fool ready to give himself up to any old hag of Black Imagination who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-beddor/i-would-find-no-value-in-the-allegiance-of-a-fool-ready-to-give/) [Frank Beddor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-beddor/) > [Allegiance, after all, has to work two ways; and one can grow weary of an allegiance which is not reciprocal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/allegiance-after-all-has-to-work-two-ways-and-one-can-grow-weary-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think it is right for Canadians to be asked to show their faces when they're taking the oath. On revocation of citizenship, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-alexander/i-think-it-is-right-for-canadians-to-be-asked-to-show-their-faces/) [Chris Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-alexander/) [Browse all 409 Allegiance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allegiance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A nation that will not enforce its laws has no claim to the respect and allegiance of its people.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ambrose Bierce" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-nation-that-will-not-enforce-its-laws-has-no-claim-to-the-respect/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Allegiance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-nation-that-will-not-enforce-its-laws-has-no-claim-to-the-respect/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e0/ambrose-bierce-140_allegiance_a-nation-that-will-not-enforce-its-laws_695038.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e0/ambrose-bierce-140_allegiance_a-nation-that-will-not-enforce-its-laws_695038.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e0/ambrose-bierce-140_allegiance_a-nation-that-will-not-enforce-its-laws_695038.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A nation that will not enforce its laws has no claim to the respect and allegiance of its people.” — Ambrose Bierce", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ambrose Bierce", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A nation that will not enforce...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-nation-that-will-not-enforce-its-laws-has-no-claim-to-the-respect/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-nation-that-will-not-enforce-its-laws-has-no-claim-to-the-respect/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```