Agency Quote by Barrett Brown
“When we start fighting crime by any means necessary we become guilty of the same hypocrisy as law enforcement agencies throughout history that break the rules to get the villains, and so become villains themselves.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Ethics of Crime Fighting,” 2015
Brown argues that using unethical means to fight crime makes activists morally equivalent to the criminals they oppose.
In simple terms: Unethical tactics make us like criminals.
Key Takeaway
Choose ethical methods in activism.
Themes
ethics
activism
hypocrisy
Mood
critical
urgent
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- activist training
- policy advocacy
- public education
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
social justice
law enforcement critique
Questions to Reflect On
- Can ends justify means?
- How to maintain integrity under pressure?
A Different Perspective
Effective change may require compromise.
![“We have no clear ideas of the agency of [demonic] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but tells us plainly that he is always watching us, and desiring to sift us as wheat. I believe we give him no more than his due, when we charge him with having a…” quote by John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c75/john-newton-6629_abundance_we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of_2907.jpg)
