Invincible Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Nothing but a necessity invincible by any other means can justify ... a prostitution of laws, which constitute the pillars of our whole system of jurisprudence.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1790
A law that serves only a single, invincible necessity becomes a perversion, undermining the whole legal system.
In simple terms: Law that serves one purpose becomes corrupt.
Guard against laws that serve narrow interests.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- policy analysis
- judicial review
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards prevent legal corruption?
- How to balance necessity with fairness?
Complex societies may need compromise.