Political Quotes

On the record
The absurdity of denying that a man has committed suicide, because it is unlawful, is equalled by the kindred absurdity of saying that a State cannot do a certain thing, because it is unlawful.
Said by
Charles Sumner
Massachusetts

Editor's note · Context

Sumner critiques the inconsistency of legal interpretations regarding actions taken by individuals and states.

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More from Charles Sumner

According to recent calculations, its annual cost is not less than a thousand millions of dollars.

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Their existence is a disgrace to civilization; for it implies the common consent of nations to the Arbitrament of War, as regulated by these laws.

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It is larger than the entire profit of all the commerce and manufactures of the world.

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