Harpies Quote by John Arbuthnot
“Law is a Bottomless-Pit, it is a Cormorant, a Harpy, that devours every thing.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Nature of Law, 1725
Law is portrayed as an insatiable predator, consuming all that approaches it.
In simple terms: Law devours everything.
Key Takeaway
Beware of law’s overreach.
Themes
law
power
critique
Mood
cautionary
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legal reform
- policy drafting
- civil rights advocacy
Key Concepts
metaphor
institutional analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards prevent legal overreach?
- How can law be balanced with liberty?
A Different Perspective
Metaphor may exaggerate reality.
