William Safire Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right."

by:	William Safire (1929-2009) American�author, columnist,�journalist, Pulitzer Prize (1978), Presidential Medal of Freedom (2006)
Rating:
Categories:	Integrity, Rights
	Tweet

Reader comments about this quote:

I'd like an example please. Name something I have a right to do...that isn't right to do... -- J Carlton, Calgary
It all depends on the perspective of the origin of the 'right.' Government has been given the power to tax -- it is often called a 'right' of the government. But the power to tax is also the power to destroy and while the government may have the power/right, exercising it without limit may cause great wrong. As well I may have the right to ingest whatever I may choose, but actually doing it may have unintended consequences. But Carlton has a point, and I would be suspicious of any politician or 'do-gooder' who espouses such a notion in reference to the rights of the people and not the powers of government. I would say "The power to do something does not mean that doing it is right." -- E Archer, NYC
(-; Carlton, you have the right to jump of a cliff, - don't do it - it would be right to hear more of your comments ;-) At law, I have the right to do anything as long as it does not infringe on the right of another (and then there is contract). I tend to agree with the comments above. -- Mike, Norwalk
Funny Mike. I suppose I do have the right to jump off a cliff, or hang myself, or shoot myself...as long as I don't harm anyone else though, who is to say this right is wrong? LOL -- J Carlton, Calgary
Freewill, one has the right to choose between the evil and the good. " Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil and choose the good." Isaiah 7:15 kjb -- Ronw13, Oregon

Bio of William Safire
More William Safire Quotes
Books by or about William Safire
William Safire Videos
Wikipedia
This William Safire quote is found in these quote Categories:
Integrity Quotes
Rights Quotes

Quotes & Quotations - Send This Quote to a Friend

© 1998-2024 Liberty-Tree.ca