Goodness Quote by Lewis N. Roe
““We have laws in our country that tell us not to murder or steal and we have police that enforce them. The question is whether you personally need the police to watch you. If they disappeared would you begin killing and thieving because you know no one will come after you, or will you carry on not doing it because it is what you actually believe is right?””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Personal Ethics Discussion, 2020
The quote questions whether moral behavior depends on external enforcement or internal conviction, suggesting true ethics persist without police oversight.
In simple terms: Moral actions can be internal, not just enforced by law.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate personal integrity beyond fear of punishment.
Themes
ethics
law
personal responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- law enforcement
- community living
- personal decision making
- education on civic duty
Key Concepts
social contract
intrinsic morality
deterrence
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you act ethically when unobserved?
- What internal values guide your behavior?
A Different Perspective
If external enforcement disappears, some may still act ethically, but others might exploit the vacuum.
