---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Slavery is not penal in character and…"
description: "\"Slavery is not penal in character and planned by that law which commands the preservation of the natural order and forbids disturbance.\" — Saint Augustine"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c4/saint-augustine-328_character_slavery-is-not-penal-in-character-and-pl_1462367.png"
---

#  Slavery is not penal in character and planned by that law…

![“Slavery is not penal in character and planned by that law which commands the preservation of the natural order and forbids disturbance.” quote by Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c4/saint-augustine-328_character_slavery-is-not-penal-in-character-and-pl_1462367.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c4/saint-augustine-328_character_slavery-is-not-penal-in-character-and-pl_1462367.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c4/saint-augustine-328_character_slavery-is-not-penal-in-character-and-pl_1462367.png)

> “Slavery is not penal in character and planned by that law which commands the preservation of the natural order and forbids disturbance.”

[Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Human beings are not inherently enslaved; laws that claim to preserve natural order can enforce oppression.

**In simple terms:** Slavery is a social construct, not a moral truth.

Key Takeaway

Question and resist laws that justify oppression.

Themes

justice freedom law morality human rights

Mood

reflective critical determined

Type

ethical political

When to use this quote

- civil rights activism
- legal reform
- education
- community organizing

Key Concepts

social contract natural law ethical philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

- What laws today claim natural order but limit freedom?
- How can individuals challenge such laws?

A Different Perspective

Laws claiming natural order may mask power interests.

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[Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Command](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/command/) [Disturbance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disturbance/) [Forbids Disturbance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forbids-disturbance-5285780/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Law Commands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law-commands-5285781/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [Natural order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-order/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Preservation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preservation/) [Scary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scary/) [Slavery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slavery/) [Slavery Penal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slavery-penal-5285779/)

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