Child labour Quote by John Ralston Saul
“They (the novelists) became the voice of the citizen against the ubiquitous raison d'état, which reappeared endlessly to justify everything from unjust laws and the use of child labour to incompetent generalship and inhuman conditions on warships. The themes they popularized have gradually turned into the laws which, for all their flaws, have improved the state of man.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Intellectuals and the State, John Ralston Saul, 1995
Novelists give voice to citizens, shaping laws that improve society despite flaws.
In simple terms: Writers influence laws and society.
Support writers who challenge power.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political reform
- civic engagement
- media influence
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can writers effectively influence policy?
- What limits writers face in shaping law?
Literature alone cannot fix systemic issues.