--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Lawyers are like nuclear weapons. By all…" description: "\"Lawyers are like nuclear weapons. By all rights they shouldn't exist, but if some people have them, then you'd better have one, too, just in case.\" — J..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40e/john-gierach-18811_cases_lawyers-are-like-nuclear-weapons-by-all_961546.jpg" --- # Lawyers are like nuclear weapons. By all rights they… ![“Lawyers are like nuclear weapons. By all rights they shouldn't exist, but if some people have them, then you'd better have one, too, just in case.” quote by John Gierach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40e/john-gierach-18811_cases_lawyers-are-like-nuclear-weapons-by-all_961546.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40e/john-gierach-18811_cases_lawyers-are-like-nuclear-weapons-by-all_961546.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40e/john-gierach-18811_cases_lawyers-are-like-nuclear-weapons-by-all_961546.jpg) > “Lawyers are like nuclear weapons. By all rights they shouldn't exist, but if some people have them, then you'd better have one, too, just in case.” [John Gierach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gierach/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Lawyers are powerful and dangerous; society tolerates them only because others might need them for protection. **In simple terms:** Lawyers are like nuclear weapons. Key Takeaway Consider the necessity of powerful tools. Themes law power security Mood critical thought‑provoking Type philosophical satirical When to use this quote - legal advice - conflict resolution - policy making Key Concepts legal systems deterrence mutual assured destruction Questions to Reflect On - Is it ethical to keep such tools? - What alternatives exist? A Different Perspective May glorify intimidation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Lawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lawyer/) [Lawyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lawyers/) [Nuclear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuclear/) [Nuclear weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuclear-weapons/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) ## Related quotes > [Lawyers are like priests; people come to them and disburden themselves of their troubles, and get consolation, if they pay well for it; but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chandler-haliburton/lawyers-are-like-priests-people-come-to-them-and-disburden-themselves/) [Thomas Chandler Haliburton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chandler-haliburton/) > [Lawyers are like spiders, they've eat up all the flies, and I guess they'll have to eat each other soon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chandler-haliburton/lawyers-are-like-spiders-they-ve-eat-up-all-the-flies-and-i-guess/) [Thomas Chandler Haliburton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chandler-haliburton/) > [The question arises whether all lawyers are the same. This is like asking whether everything that gets into a sewer is garbage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florynce-kennedy/the-question-arises-whether-all-lawyers-are-the-same-this-is-like/) [Florynce Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florynce-kennedy/) > [Lawyers are like beavers: They get in the mainstream and dam it up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-naisbitt/lawyers-are-like-beavers-they-get-in-the-mainstream-and-dam-it-up/) [John Naisbitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-naisbitt/) > [Lawyers like to leave no stone unturned, provided they can charge by the stone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-rhode/lawyers-like-to-leave-no-stone-unturned-provided-they-can-charge-by/) [Deborah Rhode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-rhode/) > [Lawyers are like beavers: They get in the mainstream and damn it up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-naisbitt/lawyers-are-like-beavers-they-get-in-the-mainstream-and-damn-it-up/) [John Naisbitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-naisbitt/) > [Lawyers have a way of seeing that sets them apart from the rest of us. In some way this special vision makes them invaluable,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thane-rosenbaum/lawyers-have-a-way-of-seeing-that-sets-them-apart-from-the-rest-of-us/) [Thane Rosenbaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thane-rosenbaum/) > [Government lawyers, like private ones, face the problem routinely of aiding in the defense and development of positions in whose correctness they don't believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-wittes/government-lawyers-like-private-ones-face-the-problem-routinely-of/) [Benjamin Wittes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-wittes/) > [Of course I've got lawyers. They are like nuclear weapons, I've got em 'cause everyone else has. 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