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Quotes about laws

126 quotes from 83 people

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“Free competition enforced by law” is a grotesque contradiction in terms.
Ayn Rand1905–1982“Antitrust: The Rule of Unreason,” The Objectivist Newsletter (February 1962) p. 1
- Economics
We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.
Ronald Reagan1911–2004Speech at the Republican National Convention, Platform Committee Meeting, Miami, Florida” (31 July 1968)
- Responsibility
Good laws lead to the making of better ones; bad ones bring about worse.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778The Social Contract (1762), Book III, Chapter XVIn context
Every law the people has not ratified in person is null and void⁠—is, in fact, not a law.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778The Social Contract (1762), Book III, Chapter XVIn context
- Democracy
The inflexibility of the laws, which prevents them from adapting themselves to circumstances, may, in certain cases, render them disastrous, and make them bring about, at a time of crisis, the ruin of the State.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778The Social Contract (1762), Book IV, Chapter VIIn context
Punishment is the last and least effective instrument in the hands of the legislator for the prevention of crime.
John Ruskin1819–1900Notes on the General Principles of Employment for the Destitute and Criminal Classes (1868)
- Justice
It is obvious that “obscenity” is not a term capable of exact legal definition; in the practice of the Courts, it means “anything that shocks the magistrate.”
Bertrand Russell1872–1970Sceptical Essays (1928), Ch. 10: Recrudescence of Puritanism
- Clever Jabs
The world is still deceiv’d with ornament.
In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt
But, being season’d with a gracious voice,
Obscures the show of evil?
William Shakespeare1564–1616The Merchant of Venice (c. 1597), Act III, Scene II, spoken by BassanioIn context
- Truth & Lies
Do as adversaries do in law,
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
William Shakespeare1564–1616The Taming of the Shrew (c. 1591), Act I, Scene II, spoken by TranioIn context
- Enemies
- Friendship
You have to be prepared for the consequences. I honestly do not know if civil disobedience has any effect on the government. I can promise you it has a great effect on the person who chooses to do it.
Martin Sheenborn 1940Progressive magazine interview (2003)
- Government
When I hear any man talk of an unalterable law, the only effect it produces upon me is to convince me that he is an unalterable fool.
Sydney Smith1771–1845Peter Plymley’s Letters (1808), Letter IV
- Clever Jabs
Nor did I deem that thou, a mortal man,
Could’st by a breath annul and override
The immutable unwritten laws of Heaven.
They were not born today nor yesterday;
They die not; and none knoweth whence they sprang.
Sophocles496–406 BCAntigone (c. 441 BC), spoken by AntigoneIn context
- Justice
- Morality
All laws which can be broken without any injury to another, are counted but a laughing-stock, and are so far from bridling the desires and lusts of men, that on the contrary they stimulate them.
Baruch Spinoza1632–1677Political Treatise (1677), Ch. 10, Of Aristocracy, Conclusion
Laws are never as effective as habits.
Adlai Stevenson II1900–1965Speech in New York City (28 August 1952)
Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through.
Jonathan Swift1667–1745A Tritical Essay upon the Faculties of the Mind (1707)