"Let no young man choosing the law for a calling for a moment yield to the vague popular belief that lawyers are necessarily dishonest. Resolve to be honest in all events; and if, in your own judgment, you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer. Choose some other occupation." -- Abraham Lincoln
Bonus: from Edward Murrow: "He was one of those civilized individuals who did not insist upon agreement with his political principles as a pre-condition for conversation or friendship."
"And if an epitaph be my story, I'd have a short one ready for my own: I had a lover's quarrel with the world." -- Robert Frost
Showing posts with label honesty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label honesty. Show all posts
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Law: Honesty
It's been a long day. I am still in my office. Here is my quote of the night:
No law will make an honest man dishonest, nor will any law cause dishonest men to become honest. Laws may scare dishonest men from doing dishonest acts, but at what cost? All laws increase the chances of an honest man getting caught in the government's or a lawyer's web. All laws also provide paper ammunition to an honest man's enemies. If some laws have no relation to improving honesty and morality in society, then the case for eliminating laws rather than passing new ones becomes clear.
Yes, it needs refining. I'll work on it.
No law will make an honest man dishonest, nor will any law cause dishonest men to become honest. Laws may scare dishonest men from doing dishonest acts, but at what cost? All laws increase the chances of an honest man getting caught in the government's or a lawyer's web. All laws also provide paper ammunition to an honest man's enemies. If some laws have no relation to improving honesty and morality in society, then the case for eliminating laws rather than passing new ones becomes clear.
Yes, it needs refining. I'll work on it.
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