Appeals Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“And, in general, that branch which is to act ultimately and without appeal on any law is the rightful expositor of the validity of the law, uncontrolled by the opinions of the other coordinate authorities.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: The Nature of Law, 1790
A law's legitimacy comes from its own reasoning, not from external authorities, making it the true arbiter of validity.
In simple terms: Law's truth lies in its own logic, not others' opinions.
Key Takeaway
Trust the law's internal consistency.
Themes
law
authority
legitimacy
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
legal
When to use this quote
- court decisions
- legislative drafting
- academic debate
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
jurisprudence
autonomy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does one ensure a law remains just without external checks?
- Can law be truly self‑validating?
A Different Perspective
May ignore societal context and moral considerations.
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