Ethics Quote by Potter Stewart
“Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Ethics, United States Supreme Court, 1972
The quote distinguishes legal entitlement from moral correctness, urging consideration of ethical duties beyond mere rights.
In simple terms: Legal rights differ from moral duties.
Act according to what is morally right, not just legally allowed.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- court rulings
- policy debates
- personal choices
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you resolve conflicts between law and conscience?
- When should you refuse a legal right that feels immoral?
Legal rights may conflict with moral obligations.