Economic Quote by Frederic Bastiat
“There are people who think that plunder loses all its immorality as soon as it becomes legal. Personally, I cannot imagine a more alarming situation.”
About This Quote
Legalizing plunder does not erase its moral wrongness; it merely disguises it.
In simple terms: Illegality and immorality are not the same.
Key Takeaway
Legal does not equal ethical.
Themes
ethics
law
morality
political economy
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- tax policy debates
- corporate subsidies
- property rights disputes
Key Concepts
legitimacy
social justice
Practical Applications
- advocate for transparent policy review
- educate on ethical implications of law
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we guard against laws that legitimize exploitation?
- Can legal reforms ever fully restore moral integrity?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that law reflects collective moral judgments, so legal changes can shift ethical norms over time.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
