--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [W]here there is no law, there is no…" description: "\"[W]here there is no law, there is no liberty; and nothing deserves the name of law but that which is certain and universal in its operation upon all th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9e/benjamin-rush-9439_certain_w-here-there-is-no-law-there-is-no-liber_240226.png" --- # \[W\]here there is no law, there is no liberty; and nothing… ![“[W]here there is no law, there is no liberty; and nothing deserves the name of law but that which is certain and universal in its operation upon all the members of the community.” quote by Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9e/benjamin-rush-9439_certain_w-here-there-is-no-law-there-is-no-liber_240226.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9e/benjamin-rush-9439_certain_w-here-there-is-no-law-there-is-no-liber_240226.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9e/benjamin-rush-9439_certain_w-here-there-is-no-law-there-is-no-liber_240226.png) > “\[W\]here there is no law, there is no liberty; and nothing deserves the name of law but that which is certain and universal in its operation upon all the members of the community.” [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Rush argues that true law must be universal, certain, and apply equally to all members of society, otherwise liberty is impossible. **In simple terms:** Law must be universal and certain. Key Takeaway Uphold universal, certain law. Themes law justice freedom Mood analytical serious Type philosophical political When to use this quote - legislative drafting - civil rights advocacy - constitutional education - community governance Key Concepts universality certainty social contract Questions to Reflect On - What defines a law that truly protects liberty? - How can societies balance universal law with cultural differences? A Different Perspective Universal standards can be hard to achieve in diverse societies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) ## Related quotes > [In law, nothing is certain but the expense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-butler/in-law-nothing-is-certain-but-the-expense/) [Samuel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-butler/) > [Law is nothing other than a certain ordinance of reason for the common good, promulgated by the person who has the care of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/law-is-nothing-other-than-a-certain-ordinance-of-reason-for-the/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [Engaging in actions which are not allowed by law should have certain prices to pay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/recep-tayyip-erdogan/engaging-in-actions-which-are-not-allowed-by-law-should-have-certain/) [Recep Tayyip Erdogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/recep-tayyip-erdogan/) > [It is better that the law should be certain than that every judge should speculate upon improvements in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-falcon-scott/it-is-better-that-the-law-should-be-certain-than-that-every-judge/) [Robert Falcon Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-falcon-scott/) > [There must be a law if there is to be liberty. Try to play a piano and you will run into laws as fixed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-rogers/there-must-be-a-law-if-there-is-to-be-liberty-try-to-play-a-piano-and/) [Adrian Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-rogers/) > [For Conservatives, all disputes over law, liberty and justice are addressed to a historic and existing community. The root of politics, they believe, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-scruton/for-conservatives-all-disputes-over-law-liberty-and-justice-are/) [Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-scruton/) > [Without Liberty, Law loses its nature and its name, and becomes oppression. Without Law, Liberty also loses its nature and its name, and becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-q-wilson/without-liberty-law-loses-its-nature-and-its-name-and-becomes/) [James Q. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-q-wilson/) > [Our homeland is the whole world. Our law is liberty. We have but one thought, revolution in our hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dario-fo/our-homeland-is-the-whole-world-our-law-is-liberty-we-have-but-one/) [Dario Fo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dario-fo/) > [I believe that it is my duty and your duty to teach our children concerning this great God-inspired Constitution, this great law of liberty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-w-nibley/i-believe-that-it-is-my-duty-and-your-duty-to-teach-our-children/) Charles W. Nibley > [“The light does never enslave any one by necessity; nor, again, does God exercise compulsion upon any one unwilling to accept the exercise of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-church-fathers/the-light-does-never-enslave-any-one-by-necessity-nor-again-does-god/) The Church Fathers > [The law of England is a law of liberty .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-law-1st-earl-of-ellenborough/the-law-of-england-is-a-law-of-liberty/) [Edward Law, 1st Earl of Ellenborough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-law-1st-earl-of-ellenborough/) > [“In learning a language, when from mere words we reach the laws of words, we have gained a great deal. But if we stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/in-learning-a-language-when-from-mere-words-we-reach-the-laws-of/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [Liberty calls to us again. We must follow her further; we must trust her fully. Either we must wholly accept her or she will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-george/liberty-calls-to-us-again-we-must-follow-her-further-we-must-trust/) [Henry George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-george/) > [Freedom cannot always continue in comfort and convenience, cannot be assured without sacrifice, without truth and decency, without willingness to work, without downright honesty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-l-evans/freedom-cannot-always-continue-in-comfort-and-convenience-cannot-be/) [Richard L. Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-l-evans/) > [The law of liberty tends to abolish the reign of race over race, of faith over faith, of class over class. It is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/the-law-of-liberty-tends-to-abolish-the-reign-of-race-over-race-of/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) ## More by Benjamin Rush > [While the business of education in Europe consists in lectures upon the ruins of Palmyra and the antiquities of Herculaneum , or in disputes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/while-the-business-of-education-in-europe-consists-in-lectures-upon/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [Freedom can exist only in the society of knowledge. Without learning, men are incapable of knowing their rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/freedom-can-exist-only-in-the-society-of-knowledge-without-learning/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [...This large and expensive stock of drugs will be unnecessary. By...doses of...medicines...multiplying...combining them properly, 20 to 30 articles, aided by the common resources of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/this-large-and-expensive-stock-of-drugs-will-be-unnecessary-by-doses/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [Without religion, I believe that learning does real mischief to the morals and principles of mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/without-religion-i-believe-that-learning-does-real-mischief-to-the/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [I have alternately been called an Aristocrat and a Democrat. I am neither. I am a Christocrat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/i-have-alternately-been-called-an-aristocrat-and-a-democrat-i-am/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [ The business of education has lay\[ed\] the foundations for nurseries of wise and good men, to adapt our modes of teaching to the peculiar… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/the-business-of-education-has-lay-ed-the-foundations-for-nurseries-of/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [Let us show the world that a difference of opinion upon medical subjects is not incompatible with medical friendships; and in so doing, let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/let-us-show-the-world-that-a-difference-of-opinion-upon-medical/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/the-gates-of-hell-shall-not-prevail-against-it/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [It would seem from this fact, that man is naturally a wild animal, and that when taken from the woods, he is never happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/it-would-seem-from-this-fact-that-man-is-naturally-a-wild-animal-and/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [The only foundation for . . . a republic is to be laid in Religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/the-only-foundation-for-a-republic-is-to-be-laid-in-religion-without/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [If we were to remove the Bible from public schools we would be wasting so much time punishing crimes and taking so little pains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/if-we-were-to-remove-the-bible-from-public-schools-we-would-be/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [Let the children...be carefully instructed in the principles and obligations of the Christian religion. This is the most essential part of education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/let-the-children-be-carefully-instructed-in-the-principles-and/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [I have always considered Christianity as the strong ground of republicanism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/i-have-always-considered-christianity-as-the-strong-ground-of/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [A belief in God's universal love to all his creatures, and that he will finally restore all of them that are miserable to happiness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/a-belief-in-god-s-universal-love-to-all-his-creatures-and-that-he/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [The Bible contains more knowledge necessary to man in his present state than any other book in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/the-bible-contains-more-knowledge-necessary-to-man-in-his-present/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) [Explore all 72 Benjamin Rush quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) ## More Certain quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [One can put some trust in the gratitude of a sovereign, and also in that of his family; under certain conditions, one can even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/one-can-put-some-trust-in-the-gratitude-of-a-sovereign-and-also-in/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [People don't always realize that a record is forever. It'll always be there under your name. You've got to be certain that it's right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-iero/people-don-t-always-realize-that-a-record-is-forever-it-ll-always-be/) [Frank Iero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-iero/) > [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/) Riffat Hassan > [I started out dancing on a reality TV show, but always with the intention of making my way over to film. I transitioned into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-hough/i-started-out-dancing-on-a-reality-tv-show-but-always-with-the/) [Julianne Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-hough/) > [One of the deepest and strangest of all human moods is the mood which will suddenly strike us perhaps in a garden at night,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-the-deepest-and-strangest-of-all-human-moods-is-the-mood-which/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [I mean those people who are interested in good government will certainly contribute in order to make certain there's some counter-balance to those whose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-breyer/i-mean-those-people-who-are-interested-in-good-government-will/) [Stephen Breyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-breyer/) > [Why do we love certain homes, and why do they seem to love us? It is the warmth of our individual hearts reflected in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-h-robsjohn-gibbings/why-do-we-love-certain-homes-and-why-do-they-seem-to-love-us-it-is/) T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings > [Human life consists of doing certain things ... to take part in the life of the community; to be able to talk about subjects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amartya-sen/human-life-consists-of-doing-certain-things-to-take-part-in-the-life/) [Amartya Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amartya-sen/) > [We've all seen talented young players who get to a certain level but there comes a point where that talent will only take you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-gatland/we-ve-all-seen-talented-young-players-who-get-to-a-certain-level-but/) [Warren Gatland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-gatland/) > [The concept of humanity is an especially useful ideological instrument of imperialist expansion, and in its ethical-humanitarian form it is a specific vehicle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-schmitt/the-concept-of-humanity-is-an-especially-useful-ideological/) [Carl Schmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-schmitt/) > [I think that at a certain age, say fifteen or sixteen, poetry is like masturbation. But later in life good poets burn their early…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/i-think-that-at-a-certain-age-say-fifteen-or-sixteen-poetry-is-like/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) > [If a person does not listen to the demands of their own spiritual and heart life and insists on a certain program, you're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/if-a-person-does-not-listen-to-the-demands-of-their-own-spiritual-and/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) Browse all 13,673 Certain quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "[W]here there is no law, there is no liberty; and nothing deserves the name of law but that which is certain and universal in its operation upon all the members of the community.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Benjamin Rush" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/w-here-there-is-no-law-there-is-no-liberty-and-nothing-deserves-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Certain" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/w-here-there-is-no-law-there-is-no-liberty-and-nothing-deserves-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9e/benjamin-rush-9439_certain_w-here-there-is-no-law-there-is-no-liber_240226.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9e/benjamin-rush-9439_certain_w-here-there-is-no-law-there-is-no-liber_240226.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9e/benjamin-rush-9439_certain_w-here-there-is-no-law-there-is-no-liber_240226.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“[W]here there is no law, there is no liberty; and nothing deserves the name of law but that which is certain…” — Benjamin Rush", "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": "Benjamin Rush", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "[W]here there is no law, there...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/w-here-there-is-no-law-there-is-no-liberty-and-nothing-deserves-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/w-here-there-is-no-law-there-is-no-liberty-and-nothing-deserves-the/#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 } } ] } ```