Character Quote by Frédéric Bastiat
““In the first place, it would efface from everybody’s conscience the distinction between justice and injustice. No society can exist unless the laws are respected to a cer- tain degree, but the safest way to make them respected is to make them respectable. When law and morality are in contradiction to each other, the citizen finds himself in the cruel alternative of either losing his moral sense, or of losing his respect for the law—two evils of equal magni- tude, between which it would be difficult to choose.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Law, Frédéric Bastiat, 1850
Law must be respected, but its legitimacy depends on moral alignment; otherwise citizens face a moral dilemma.
In simple terms: Respect law, but it must be moral.
Key Takeaway
Seek just laws.
Themes
justice
law
morality
society
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legislative reform
- civil disobedience
- public policy debate
- community standards
Key Concepts
Social contract
ethical governance
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile law with personal ethics?
- When should citizens oppose unjust laws?
A Different Perspective
Respecting immoral laws can erode personal integrity.
