Skip to content

Constitution Quote by Lysander Spooner

“If the jury have no right to judge of the justice of a law of the government, they plainly can do nothing to protect the people against the oppressions of the government; for there are no oppressions which the government may not authorize by law.” quote by Lysander Spooner
Download Open image
“If the jury have no right to judge of the justice of a law of the government, they plainly can do nothing to protect the people against the oppressions of the government; for there are no oppressions which the government may not authorize by law.”

Lysander Spooner

About This Quote

Source Essay: No Treason: The Constitution of No Authority, 1867

Citizens cannot rely on the government to protect them from oppression because the law itself can legitimize oppression.

In simple terms: Law can authorize oppression, so people must protect themselves.

Key Takeaway

Question the legitimacy of laws that enable oppression.

Themes

law government rights justice

Mood

critical skeptical

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

  • activism
  • legal reform
  • public policy

Key Concepts

political theory civil liberty

Questions to Reflect On

  • What mechanisms can limit governmental abuse?
  • How can individuals safeguard their rights without state protection?
A Different Perspective

Legal systems often claim legitimacy while perpetuating injustice.

2.8 out of 5 (5 ratings)

More by Lysander Spooner

Explore all 135 Lysander Spooner quotes

More Constitution quotes

Browse all 4,507 Constitution quotes