Broken Quote by G.K. Chesterton
““for the definition of a law is: something that can be broken””
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Defendant", 1905, The Illustrated London News
A law is defined by its capacity to be broken; its effectiveness lies in its testability.
In simple terms: Laws can be broken.
Key Takeaway
Understand the limits of legal authority.
Themes
law
philosophy
authority
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inquisitive
When to use this quote
- policy drafting
- ethical debates
- education curricula
Key Concepts
Legal theory
human behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- What does a broken law reveal about society?
- How can we design laws that resist misuse?
A Different Perspective
Laws also aim to guide behavior, not just be broken.
![“Who can break the law? If I break this glass, it will fall down. If anyone succeeds in throwing one atom out of place, every other atom will go out of balance. . . . The law can never be broken. Each atom is kept in its place. Each is weighed and measured and fulfils its [purpose] and place…” quote by Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/996/swami-vivekananda-53_atoms_who-can-break-the-law-if-i-break-this-gl_3191860.jpg)
