Quotes Library

December 25, 2025

The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.

Anatole France (1844–1924), French poet, journalist, novelist, The Portable Curmudgeon, Jon Winokur, ed. (New York: 1987), p.167

You are a law-maker, so what legal models (that is, purposes served by laws) do you support? Punitive? Rehabilitative? Restorative?

Those 27 words lay out better than anyone ever has the argument for equity over mere equality.


More Quotes

September 17, 2025
The truth which makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear.
February 7, 2025
00:58
I will govern according to the common weal [meaning welfare], but not according to the common will.
December 8, 2025
Political skill [is] the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, next year.
Page 116 of 124