Constitution Quote by William S. Burroughs
““Well as, one judge said to the other, 'Be just and if you can't be just be arbitrary.' Regret cannot observe customary obscenities.””
About This Quote
A paradoxical counsel that when fairness is impossible, one should resort to randomness, highlighting the absurdity of moral constraints and the futility of regret over inevitable vulgarities.
In simple terms: When justice fails, act arbitrarily.
Key Takeaway
Arbitrary actions replace unattainable justice.
Themes
Moral ambiguity
Absurdity
Regret
Justice
Arbitrariness
Mood
Wry
Cynical
Reflective
Type
Aphorism
Satire
When to use this quote
- Legal decision‑making
- Leadership dilemmas
- Creative writing
- Philosophical debate
Key Concepts
Ethics
Human behavior
Practical Applications
- Designing decision‑making frameworks
- Generating satirical content
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to be 'just' in an unjust world?
- Can randomness ever be ethical?
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
