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.”
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.
Question the legitimacy of laws that enable oppression.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- activism
- legal reform
- public policy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms can limit governmental abuse?
- How can individuals safeguard their rights without state protection?
Legal systems often claim legitimacy while perpetuating injustice.