I hope I am over wary; but if I am not, there is, even now, something of ill-omen, amongst us. I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country; the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions, in lieu of the sober judgment of Courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive ministers of justice.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Lincoln warns that ignoring law and replacing courts with mobs threatens justice.
- In plain terms
- He fears people are ignoring courts and using mobs instead.
- What can you take from it?
- Respect the law to keep justice.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is breaking the law acceptable?
- How do you ensure justice?
Another view
Sometimes laws themselves may be unjust.
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