Broken Quote by Baruch Spinoza
“All laws which can be broken without any injury to another, are counted but a laughing-stock, and are so far from bridling the desires and lusts of men, that on the contrary they stimulate them.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Ethics, Part IV, 1677
Laws that cause no harm are mocked and fail to curb human desire, often encouraging it instead.
In simple terms: Harmless laws are ridiculed and can fuel desire.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that ineffective laws may worsen behavior.
Themes
law
morality
human nature
desire
societal control
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- legislation drafting
- public policy
- education
- personal conduct
- civic engagement
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies design laws that truly deter harmful desires?
- What role does cultural context play in law effectiveness?
A Different Perspective
Such laws may be ignored, leading to moral relativism.
![“Laws which can be broken without any wrong to one's neighbor are a laughing-stock; and such laws, instead of restraining the appetites and lusts of mankind, serve rather to heighten them. Nitimur in vetitum semper, cupimusque negata [we always resist prohibitions, and yearn for what is denied us].” quote by Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8b9/baruch-spinoza-1338_appetite_laws-which-can-be-broken-without-any-wro_1425059.jpg)
