---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As soon as you begin to say We have…"
description: "\"As soon as you begin to say We have always done things this way -- perhaps that might be a better way, conscious law-making is beginning. As soon as yo..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/473/helen-cam-86101_better-way_as-soon-as-you-begin-to-say-we-have-alwa_466903.jpg"
---

#  As soon as you begin to say We have always done things…

![“As soon as you begin to say We have always done things this way -- perhaps that might be a better way, conscious law-making is beginning. As soon as you begin to say We do things this way -- they do things that way -- what is to be done about it? men are beginning to feel towards justice, that…” quote by Helen Cam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/473/helen-cam-86101_better-way_as-soon-as-you-begin-to-say-we-have-alwa_466903.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/473/helen-cam-86101_better-way_as-soon-as-you-begin-to-say-we-have-alwa_466903.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/473/helen-cam-86101_better-way_as-soon-as-you-begin-to-say-we-have-alwa_466903.jpg)

> “As soon as you begin to say We have always done things this way -- perhaps that might be a better way, conscious law-making is beginning. As soon as you begin to say We do things this way -- they do things that way -- what is to be done about it? men are beginning to feel towards justice, that resides between the endless jar of right and wrong.”

[Helen Cam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-cam/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote warns that invoking tradition to justify law can mask the need for reform, and that justice lies between rigid right‑wrong binaries.

**In simple terms:** Tradition can hide the need for change; justice is nuanced.

Key Takeaway

Question assumptions and seek balanced solutions.

Themes

justice law tradition reform

Mood

reflective critical

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

- policy review
- court decisions
- public debates
- legislative drafting

Key Concepts

Ethics critical thinking legal philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

- How does tradition influence current laws?
- What balances right and wrong in justice?

A Different Perspective

May oversimplify complex legal issues.

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