Dishonest Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Is it less dishonest to do what is wrong because it is not expressly prohibited by written law? Let us hope our moral principles are not yet in that stage of degeneracy.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 1795
Acting unethically because the law is silent is still dishonest; moral standards must guide behavior beyond legal codes.
In simple terms: Unwritten laws don’t excuse wrongdoing.
Key Takeaway
Follow personal ethics, not just legal loopholes.
Themes
ethics
law
morality
integrity
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- business decisions
- political leadership
- personal relationships
- public policy
Key Concepts
deontological ethics
legal positivism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you rely on law or conscience?
- How can societies enforce unwritten moral standards?
A Different Perspective
Legal gaps can be exploited, leading to systemic abuse.
![“[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/401/thomas-jefferson-43_branches_states-and-the-federal-government-are-co_2619.jpg)
![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
