Crime Quote by William Godwin
“It is questionless desirable in all ordinary cases, wherever positive law is established, to restrain ourselves within the letter of that law and to allow the criminal all the benefit, if benefit to him shall result, of any evasion or escape that the law shall afford him.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice, 1793
Law should be applied flexibly; strict literalism can let criminals exploit loopholes.
In simple terms: Avoid rigid law interpretation that benefits wrongdoers.
Key Takeaway
Apply law with spirit, not just letter.
Themes
justice
law
ethics
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- court rulings
- policy drafting
- legal education
Key Concepts
legal interpretation
principle over literalism
Questions to Reflect On
- When should law be interpreted flexibly?
- How to prevent abuse of loopholes?
A Different Perspective
Rigid application may ignore context.
