Aliens Quote by Learned Hand
“There is something monstrous in commands couched in invented and unfamiliar language; an alien master is the worst of all. The language of the law must not be foreign to the ears of those who are to obey it.”
About This Quote
Source Opinion: Judicial opinion, 1930s, null
Complex legal language can be alienating; laws must be understandable to those who must obey them.
In simple terms: Law should be clear, not obscure.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for plain language in legal drafting.
Themes
clarity
law
accessibility
communication
Mood
analytical
serious
Type
legal
educational
When to use this quote
- legislation
- court rulings
- public notices
Key Concepts
legal drafting
public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language affect compliance?
- What reforms improve legal clarity?
A Different Perspective
Legal jargon can obscure rights.
![“The ‘I’ [Je] who writes is alien to her own writing at every word because this ‘I’ uses a language that is alien to her; this ‘I’ [Je] experiences what is alien to her since this ‘I’ [Je] cannot be un ecrivain. J/e poses the ideological and historical question of feminine subjects.” quote by Monique Wittig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1d8/monique-wittig-21336_writing_the-i-je-who-writes-is-alien-to-her-own_1847279.jpg)
