Crime Quote by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton
“The law is a gun, which if it misses a pigeon always kills a crow; if it does not strike the guilty, it hits someone else. As every crime creates a law, so in turn every law creates a crime.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: "The Last Days of Pompeii", 1834
Law can cause unintended harm, and creating laws can generate new crimes, creating a vicious cycle.
In simple terms: Law may hurt innocents and spawn crime.
Key Takeaway
Be cautious when crafting legislation.
Themes
justice
unintended consequences
legislation
Mood
thought‑provoking
cautionary
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- criminal justice reform
- law drafting
Key Concepts
legal theory
ethical dilemmas
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards prevent law from harming the innocent?
- Can law be designed to minimize new crimes?
A Different Perspective
Law alone cannot guarantee fairness; enforcement matters.
