On the record
For where a particular statute is regarded as foolish or obnoxious by a considerable body of persons, they will rejoice in breaking it.
Said by
Harold J. Laski
Source
gutenberg.orgHarold J. Laski: “For where a particular statute is regarded as foolish or obnoxious by a considerable body of persons, they will rejoice…”
Editor's note · Context
He concludes that when a law is widely viewed as foolish, people will take pleasure in breaking it, undermining its authority.
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More from Harold J. Laski
The essence of the persecuting position is always that the persecutor has hold of truth and that he would betray its service by allowing it to be questioned.
It has been the historic character of persecution always to degrade the persecutor and to strengthen the persecuted by drawing attention to their claims.
To deny novelty or grievance a right of expression is a certain, if, indeed, an ultimate, validation of the truth they contain.
Ultimately, that denial is always made upon the same ground: it is insisted that the doctrines or practices attacked are subversive of the civil order.
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