Above the law Quote by L. Neil Smith
“People - pardon me, journalists and politicians - have often accused me of believing that I'm above the law. And yet, who isn't? Everywhere you prod it, even with the shortest stick, the established system isn't simply corrupt, it's unequivocally putrescent. The law is created by demonstrable criminals, enforced by demonstrable, interpreted by demonstrable criminals, all for demonstrably criminal purposes. Of course I'm above the law. And so are you.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Probability Broach by L. Neil Smith, 1979
The quote argues that law and governance are fundamentally corrupt, created and enforced by criminals, implying everyone is above it.
In simple terms: Law is corrupt and everyone is above it.
Key Takeaway
Recognize systemic corruption and question authority.
Themes
corruption
law
authority
skepticism
Mood
cynical
critical
skeptical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- activism
- legal reform
- public discourse
- academic critique
Key Concepts
political philosophy
anarchism
ethical relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does systemic corruption affect daily life?
- Can any system be truly just?
A Different Perspective
The claim may overgeneralize and ignore functional aspects of law.
