Law Quote by Emile Durkheim
“When mores are sufficient, laws are unnecessary; when mores are insufficient, laws are unenforceable.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Sociology of Law, 1912
When moral norms are strong, laws are unnecessary; when weak, laws fail.
In simple terms: Strong morals reduce need for law; weak morals make law ineffective.
Strengthen social norms to support legal systems.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- community building
- policy making
- education programs
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies reinforce shared values?
- What mechanisms sustain effective moral standards?
Changing norms is a slow process.