--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No society can exist if respect for the…" description: "\"No society can exist if respect for the law does not to some extent prevail; but the surest way to have the laws respected is to make them respectable...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a13/frederic-bastiat-2151_citizens_no-society-can-exist-if-respect-for-the_592134.jpg" --- # No society can exist if respect for the law does not to… ![“No society can exist if respect for the law does not to some extent prevail; but the surest way to have the laws respected is to make them respectable. When law and morality are in contradiction, the citizen finds himself in the cruel dilemma of either losing his moral sense or of losing respect…” quote by Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a13/frederic-bastiat-2151_citizens_no-society-can-exist-if-respect-for-the_592134.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a13/frederic-bastiat-2151_citizens_no-society-can-exist-if-respect-for-the_592134.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a13/frederic-bastiat-2151_citizens_no-society-can-exist-if-respect-for-the_592134.jpg) > “No society can exist if respect for the law does not to some extent prevail; but the surest way to have the laws respected is to make them respectable. When law and morality are in contradiction, the citizen finds himself in the cruel dilemma of either losing his moral sense or of losing respect for the law, two evils of which one is as great as the other, and between which it is difficult to choose.” [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Respect for law depends on its perceived legitimacy; when law conflicts with morality, citizens face a painful choice between moral integrity and legal obedience. **In simple terms:** Law must be respectable to be obeyed; conflict creates a moral dilemma. Key Takeaway Balance law with moral values. Themes law morality legitimacy dilemma citizen responsibility Mood thoughtful serious Type political ethical When to use this quote - legislative drafting - judicial reform - public policy debates - civic education - ethical decision making Key Concepts social contract ethical conflict authority Questions to Reflect On - How can societies align law with prevailing moral standards? - What mechanisms ensure laws remain respectable? A Different Perspective If law is too rigid, it may lose moral support, undermining compliance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contradiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contradiction/) [Dilemma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dilemma/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laws/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) ## Related quotes > [“No society can exist unless the laws are respected to a certain degree, but the safest way to make them respected is to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bastiat-frederick/no-society-can-exist-unless-the-laws-are-respected-to-a-certain/) [Bastiat, Frederick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bastiat-frederick/) > [“In the first place, it would efface from everybody’s conscience the distinction between justice and injustice. 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