Absent Quote by Frederic Bastiat
“...the statement, "The purpose of the law is to cause justice to reign," is not a rigorously accurate statement. It ought to be stated that the purpose of the law is to prevent injustice from reigning. In fact, it is injustice, instead of justice, that has an existence of its own. Justice is achieved only when injustice is absent.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Economic Sophisms, 1845
The law's aim is to stop wrongdoing, not to create virtue; justice exists when injustice is eliminated.
In simple terms: Law prevents harm, not creates good.
Key Takeaway
Focus on preventing injustice.
Themes
law
justice
morality
government
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy making
- legal reform
- civil rights enforcement
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Legal theory
negative liberty
ethical foundations
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we measure the absence of injustice?
- What mechanisms ensure laws effectively stop harm?
A Different Perspective
Law cannot guarantee positive outcomes, only prevent negatives.
