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About this quote

What does it mean?
Crime definitions grow with laws, often labeling harmless acts as crimes.
In plain terms
As laws multiply, many acts called crimes cause no real harm.
What can you take from it?
More laws can criminalize harmless behavior by definition.

Where it applies

  • policy making
  • legal reform
  • activism

Putting it to work

  • audit laws
  • assess harm

Questions to consider

  • Should all crimes involve harm?
  • Are some laws unfair?

Another view

It ignores that some laws prevent harm without causing violence.

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