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About this quote

What does it mean?
Crime exploits innocence to gain power, while innocence fights back against crime's attempts.
In plain terms
Crime uses the innocent to seize power; the innocent resist.
What can you take from it?
Protect the vulnerable from exploitation by wrongdoing.

Where it applies

  • social justice
  • criminal law

Putting it to work

  • strengthen protections for victims
  • educate on rights

Questions to consider

  • How can societies empower the innocent?
  • What prevents crime from exploiting weakness?

Another view

Not all innocence is passive; many act proactively.

More from Maximilien Robespierre

  1. Atheism is aristocratic; the idea of a great Being that watches over oppressed innocence and punishes triumphant crime is altogether popular.

    Permalink to quote #18
  2. In the system of the French revolution that which is immoral is impolitic, and what tends to corrupt is counter-revolutionary. Weaknesses, vices, prejudices ar…

    Permalink to quote #20
  3. Any law which violates the inseparable rights of man is essentially unjust and tyrannical; it is not a law at all.

    Permalink to quote #17

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