Nothing was, nothing will be, everything has reality and presence
Hermann HesseRead
We cannot, by total reliance on law, escape the duty to judge right and wrong... There are good laws and there are occasionally bad laws, and it conforms to the highest traditions of a free society to offer resistance to bad laws, and to disobey them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the moral responsibility to discern and challenge unjust laws.
In this quote, Alexander Bickel stresses that simply following the law is insufficient for a just society; individuals must exercise their judgment to identify and resist bad laws. He argues that there is a moral duty to challenge laws that are unjust, as this aligns with the principles of a free society that values justice and ethical standards over blind obedience.
Themes
LawJusticeMoralityRightsResistance
In practice
Example use cases
This quote is perfect for a debate on civil disobedience and justice.
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