Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: Judgment is what gives force, effect, and vigor to laws; laws without judgment are contemptible and ridiculous; we had…

On the record
Judgment is what gives force, effect, and vigor to laws; laws without judgment are contemptible and ridiculous; we had better have no laws than laws not enforced by judgments and suitable penalties upon delinquents.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke argues that laws must be enforced with judgment to be effective; otherwise, they are meaningless.

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