Administration Quote by Louis D. Brandeis
“Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill it teaches the whole people by example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. To declare that in the administration of the criminal law the end justifies the means - to declare that the Government may commit crimes in order to secure the conviction of a private criminal - would bring terrible retributions.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Lecture, 1913, United States Supreme Court Justice
Government behavior sets a societal example; when it breaks laws, it erodes respect for law and invites disorder.
In simple terms: A corrupt government breeds lawlessness.
Key Takeaway
Uphold integrity in public institutions.
Themes
law
ethics
societal influence
government responsibility
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- law enforcement
- public policy
- civic education
Key Concepts
social contract
rule of law
institutional trust
Questions to Reflect On
- How does government misconduct affect citizen behavior?
- What mechanisms can restore trust in law enforcement?
A Different Perspective
If the government is corrupt, reforms may be insufficient without cultural change.
