Hysteria Quote by E.L. Doctorow
““...if justice cannot be made to operate under the worst possible conditions of social hysteria, what does it matter how it operates at other times?””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Literary Lecture on Justice, 1990
If justice fails under extreme hysteria, its reliability in calmer times is questionable.
In simple terms: Justice must work even in chaos.
Key Takeaway
Strengthen legal safeguards for crises.
Themes
justice
social stability
law
Mood
concerned
serious
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- pandemic response
- political upheaval
- natural disasters
Key Concepts
rule of law
civil unrest
institutional resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies protect justice during panic?
- What safeguards are essential for legal integrity?
A Different Perspective
Even robust systems can be compromised by fear.
