Boy scout Quote by Ayn Rand
““Did you really think we want those laws observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them to be broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against... We're after power and we mean it... There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced or objectively interpreted – and you create a nation of law-breakers – and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Reardon, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with.””
About This Quote
Source Film: Atlas Shrugged, 2011
The speaker argues that laws are designed to be unobservable and unenforceable, creating a society of criminals to profit from guilt.
In simple terms: Laws are made to be broken to profit from crime.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how power can manipulate legal systems.
Themes
politics
power
law
ethics
control
Mood
cynical
critical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political strategy
- legal reform
- activism
- public policy
- media analysis
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
social engineering
legal manipulation
Questions to Reflect On
- Who benefits from creating unbreakable laws?
- Can a society function without enforceable laws?
A Different Perspective
The argument assumes all governments act solely for profit, ignoring moral constraints.
