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About this quote

What does it mean?
Having a legal right to do something does not mean it is morally right.
In plain terms
You can have the right to do something but still be wrong to do it.
What can you take from it?
Legal permission does not guarantee moral correctness.

Where it applies

  • legal decisions
  • moral dilemmas
  • policy debates

Putting it to work

  • check moral implications
  • balance rights
  • reflect on actions

Questions to consider

  • Is a right always a moral choice?
  • How do we judge rightness?

Another view

Sometimes legal rights align with moral duty.

More from Gilbert Keith Chesterton

  1. The rich are the scum of the earth in every country.

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  2. All government is an ugly necessity.

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  3. The academic mind reflects infinity, and is full of light by the simple process of being shallow and standing still.

    Permalink to quote #28

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