Accustomed Quote by Samuel Smiles
“What we are accustomed to decry as great social evils, will, for the most part, be found to be only the out-growth of our own perverted life; and though we may endeavor to cut them down and extirpate them by means of law, they will only spring up again with fresh luxuriance in some other form, unless the conditions of human life and character are radically improved.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Self‑Help, 1859
Social arise from degraded human conditions; law alone cannot eradicate them without fundamental moral improvement.
In simple terms: Bad social conditions stem from moral decay; law alone won’t fix them.
Key Takeaway
Improve human character to solve deep social issues.
Themes
ethics
social reform
law
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- public policy
- education reform
- community building
Key Concepts
moral decay
systemic injustice
law limitations
Questions to Reflect On
- What moral changes are needed for lasting reform?
- Can law ever fully address systemic decay?
A Different Perspective
Legal measures may only treat symptoms, not root causes.
