--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What, then, is law? As I have said…" description: "\"“What, then, is law? As I have said elsewhere, it is the collective organization of the individual right to lawful defence.”\" — Frédéric Bastiat" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/frederic-bastiat-2151_law_what-then-is-law-as-i-have-said-elsewher_1006329.png" --- # What, then, is law? As I have said elsewhere, it is the… ![“What, then, is law? As I have said elsewhere, it is the collective organization of the individual right to lawful defence.” quote by Frédéric Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/frederic-bastiat-2151_law_what-then-is-law-as-i-have-said-elsewher_1006329.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/frederic-bastiat-2151_law_what-then-is-law-as-i-have-said-elsewher_1006329.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/frederic-bastiat-2151_law_what-then-is-law-as-i-have-said-elsewher_1006329.png) > ““What, then, is law? As I have said elsewhere, it is the collective organization of the individual right to lawful defence.”” [Frédéric 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. Law is the collective protection of each individual's right to defend themselves against aggression. **In simple terms:** Law protects individual self‑defence. Key Takeaway Uphold personal rights through just law. Themes law individual rights defence Mood analytical serious Type political philosophical When to use this quote - public policy - civil liberties - community safety Key Concepts social contract legal philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How should law limit its own power? - What mechanisms ensure law protects rather than oppresses? 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