--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The law's a necessary evil--we canna be…" description: "\"“The law's a necessary evil--we canna be doing without it--but do ye not think it a poor substitute for conscience?”\" — Diana Gabaldon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/diana-gabaldon-185_conscience_the-law-s-a-necessary-evil-we-canna-be-d_2319845.jpg" --- # The law's a necessary evil--we canna be doing without… ![“The law's a necessary evil--we canna be doing without it--but do ye not think it a poor substitute for conscience?” quote by Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/diana-gabaldon-185_conscience_the-law-s-a-necessary-evil-we-canna-be-d_2319845.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/diana-gabaldon-185_conscience_the-law-s-a-necessary-evil-we-canna-be-d_2319845.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/diana-gabaldon-185_conscience_the-law-s-a-necessary-evil-we-canna-be-d_2319845.jpg) > ““The law's a necessary evil--we canna be doing without it--but do ye not think it a poor substitute for conscience?”” [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Law is essential but cannot replace personal moral judgment. **In simple terms:** Law is needed but not a moral guide. Key Takeaway Balance law with conscience. Themes law morality society Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - legal decisions - personal dilemmas - policy making Key Concepts ethical theory social contract Questions to Reflect On - How do you reconcile legal obligations with personal values? - When should conscience override law? A Different Perspective Law alone cannot ensure ethical outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Law Necessary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law-necessary-2732527/) [Necessary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/necessary/) [Necessary evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/necessary-evil/) [Substitute Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/substitute-conscience-5542141/) ## Related quotes > [The law is an expression of God 's holy will and as such must be honored and loved," said the preacher piously. "Rubbish," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/the-law-is-an-expression-of-god-s-holy-will-and-as-such-must-be/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [It is true that legality is not morality, and sticking to the law is necessary for good citizenship, but it is not sufficient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-baggini/it-is-true-that-legality-is-not-morality-and-sticking-to-the-law-is/) [Julian Baggini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-baggini/) > [The history of what the law has been is necessary to the knowledge of what the law is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/the-history-of-what-the-law-has-been-is-necessary-to-the-knowledge-of/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [“Of course, there’s no clear line between who creates wealth and who shifts it. Lots of jobs do both. There’s no denying that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rutger-bregman/of-course-there-s-no-clear-line-between-who-creates-wealth-and-who/) [Rutger Bregman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rutger-bregman/) > [Government is a necessary evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/government-is-a-necessary-evil/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [A lot of auditions are not fun; they're just a necessary evil, and, if you're lucky, you have a few moments that are fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-connolly/a-lot-of-auditions-are-not-fun-they-re-just-a-necessary-evil-and-if/) [Kristen Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-connolly/) > [A baseball manager is a necessary evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sparky-anderson/a-baseball-manager-is-a-necessary-evil/) [Sparky Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sparky-anderson/) > [Dialogue is a necessary evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-zinnemann/dialogue-is-a-necessary-evil/) [Fred Zinnemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-zinnemann/) > [Thus does a 'necessary evil' become an idol. Maybe we're stuck with it. But do we have to worship it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-sobran/thus-does-a-necessary-evil-become-an-idol-maybe-we-re-stuck-with-it/) [Joseph Sobran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-sobran/) > [“You are my courage, as I am your Conscience," he whispered. "You are my hear and I your compassion. We are neither of us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/you-are-my-courage-as-i-am-your-conscience-he-whispered-you-are-my/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [Let us be thankful for health and competence, and, above all, for a quiet conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/izaak-walton/let-us-be-thankful-for-health-and-competence-and-above-all-for-a/) [Izaak Walton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/izaak-walton/) > [My conscience is really active. So I feel bad about spending excess amount of money on things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd/my-conscience-is-really-active-so-i-feel-bad-about-spending-excess/) [Syd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd/) > [Writing adds up to the conscience of our times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-firrell/writing-adds-up-to-the-conscience-of-our-times/) [Martin Firrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-firrell/) > [“Knowledge without conscience is but the ruin of the soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabelaise/knowledge-without-conscience-is-but-the-ruin-of-the-soul/) [Rabelaise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabelaise/) > [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) ## More by Diana Gabaldon > [Alright, all right," I said. "What if I tell you a story, instead?" Highlanders loved stories, and Jamie was no exception. "Oh, aye, "…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/alright-all-right-i-said-what-if-i-tell-you-a-story-instead/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [There were moments, of course. Those small spaces in time, too soon gone, when everything seems to stand still, and existence is balanced on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/there-were-moments-of-course-those-small-spaces-in-time-too-soon-gone/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [If it was a sin for you to choose me . . . then I would go to the Devil himself and bless him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/if-it-was-a-sin-for-you-to-choose-me-then-i-would-go-to-the-devil/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [When I turned 35, I thought, 'Mozart was dead at 36, so I set the bar: I'm going to start writing a book on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-i-turned-35-i-thought-mozart-was-dead-at-36-so-i-set-the-bar-i-m/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I stagger out of bed, take the dogs outside, and then I'll get a Diet Coke and a couple of dog biscuits and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-stagger-out-of-bed-take-the-dogs-outside-and-then-i-ll-get-a-diet/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“It was…hard. I didna call out, or let them see I was scairt, but I couldna keep my feet. Halfway through it, I fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/it-was-hard-i-didna-call-out-or-let-them-see-i-was-scairt-but-i/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I have all the time and space in the world when I write a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-have-all-the-time-and-space-in-the-world-when-i-write-a-book/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I discovered that, given the indescribable nature of what I write, the only way to sell it is to give people free samples.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-discovered-that-given-the-indescribable-nature-of-what-i-write-the/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“We are bound,you and I, and nothing on this earth shall part me from you."One large hand rose to stroke my hair. "D'ye mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/we-are-bound-you-and-i-and-nothing-on-this-earth-shall-part-me-from/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I think characters are going to be, if not a reflection of the author, at least some refraction of some part of their personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-think-characters-are-going-to-be-if-not-a-reflection-of-the-author/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [My husband asked me once why I read so many mysteries, and part of it is just intellectual, part of it is the joy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-husband-asked-me-once-why-i-read-so-many-mysteries-and-part-of-it/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“My Da says you’re never drunk, so long as ye can hold on to the floor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-da-says-you-re-never-drunk-so-long-as-ye-can-hold-on-to-the-floor/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [When you're an artist, you can't write with the intent of affecting anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-you-re-an-artist-you-can-t-write-with-the-intent-of-affecting/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“But a man is not forgotten, as long as there are two people left under the sky. One, to tell the story; the other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/but-a-man-is-not-forgotten-as-long-as-there-are-two-people-left-under/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“I didn’t answer, occupied in dissolving the penicillin tablets in the vial of sterile water. I selected a glass barrel, fitted a needle, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-didn-t-answer-occupied-in-dissolving-the-penicillin-tablets-in-the/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) [Explore all 952 Diana Gabaldon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## More Conscience quotes > [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [“Knowledge without conscience is but the ruin of the soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabelaise/knowledge-without-conscience-is-but-the-ruin-of-the-soul/) [Rabelaise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabelaise/) > [Writing adds up to the conscience of our times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-firrell/writing-adds-up-to-the-conscience-of-our-times/) [Martin Firrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-firrell/) > [My conscience is really active. So I feel bad about spending excess amount of money on things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd/my-conscience-is-really-active-so-i-feel-bad-about-spending-excess/) [Syd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd/) > [Let us be thankful for health and competence, and, above all, for a quiet conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/izaak-walton/let-us-be-thankful-for-health-and-competence-and-above-all-for-a/) [Izaak Walton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/izaak-walton/) > [Making money doesn't oblige people to forfeit their honor or their conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-de-rothschild/making-money-doesn-t-oblige-people-to-forfeit-their-honor-or-their/) [Guy de Rothschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-de-rothschild/) > [“If we cannot be happy and powerful and prey on others, we invent conscience and prey on ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/if-we-cannot-be-happy-and-powerful-and-prey-on-others-we-invent/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [The God in whose hands are all our days and ways, did cast into my hand one day a book of Martin Luthers; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/the-god-in-whose-hands-are-all-our-days-and-ways-did-cast-into-my/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [My morals are important to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-parrish/my-morals-are-important-to-me/) [Hunter Parrish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-parrish/) > [Being tolerant does not mean that I share another ones belief. But it does mean that I acknowledge another ones right to believe, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-frankl/being-tolerant-does-not-mean-that-i-share-another-ones-belief-but-it/) [Viktor Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-frankl/) > [Never can true courage dwell with them, Who, playing tricks with conscience, dare not look At their own vices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/never-can-true-courage-dwell-with-them-who-playing-tricks-with/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [In presenting a mathematical argument the great thing is to give the educated reader the chance to catch on at once to the momentary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edensor-littlewood/in-presenting-a-mathematical-argument-the-great-thing-is-to-give-the/) [John Edensor Littlewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edensor-littlewood/) > [I've worked with people who are much further to the left than I am and much further to the right than I am. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hanks/i-ve-worked-with-people-who-are-much-further-to-the-left-than-i-am/) [Tom Hanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hanks/) > [If all the world hated you and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved of you and absolved you from guilt, you would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/if-all-the-world-hated-you-and-believed-you-wicked-while-your-own/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [ \[D\]on't grow old. With age comes caution, which is another name for cowardice… Whatever else you do in life, don't cultivate a conscience. Without… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesketh-pearson/d-on-t-grow-old-with-age-comes-caution-which-is-another-name-for/) [Hesketh Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesketh-pearson/) [Browse all 3,490 Conscience quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The law's a necessary evil--we canna be doing without it--but do ye not think it a poor substitute for conscience?”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Diana Gabaldon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/the-law-s-a-necessary-evil-we-canna-be-doing-without-it-but-do-ye-not/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Conscience" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/the-law-s-a-necessary-evil-we-canna-be-doing-without-it-but-do-ye-not/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/diana-gabaldon-185_conscience_the-law-s-a-necessary-evil-we-canna-be-d_2319845.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/diana-gabaldon-185_conscience_the-law-s-a-necessary-evil-we-canna-be-d_2319845.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db0/diana-gabaldon-185_conscience_the-law-s-a-necessary-evil-we-canna-be-d_2319845.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The law's a necessary evil--we canna be doing without it--but do ye not think it a poor substitute for…” — Diana Gabaldon", "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": "Diana Gabaldon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The law's a necessary evil--we canna...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/the-law-s-a-necessary-evil-we-canna-be-doing-without-it-but-do-ye-not/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/the-law-s-a-necessary-evil-we-canna-be-doing-without-it-but-do-ye-not/#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 } } ] } ```