Henry David Thoreau Quote

"Must a citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience, then? It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right."

by:	Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American author, poet, philosopher, polymath, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, historian, and transcendentalist
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Categories:	Citizenship, Conscience, Government, Law, Respect, Responsibility
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There are 2 very distinct and polarizing perspectives that can be drawn from this quote Thoreau here makes a great distinction between that which would be natural law - as is averse to man's law. Being somewhat familiar with Thoreau's writings, his here referenced 'conscience' and 'right' fall within the domain of natural law. The polar opposite would be a legal positivism - conscience and right being an abstract, differing with each individual. Such legal positivism would dilute conscience and right into a realm where man's laws apply. At natural law, legislators are only capable of defining that which is (fiscal law, and those laws that eternally define a just relationship to life, liberty and property) by tools like codes, ordinances, regulations, rules, statutes, etc. Rights are the just application of being, conscience being one of those absolute rights.  -- Mike, Norwalk
We hold these truths to be self evident . Natural law. One can never truly embrace Pure Liberty and Freedom from a Secular Humanistic mindset, neutral naturalistic view point. A Scarcity mindset which is self destructive. As apposed to an Abundance Mentality. One must be ready for the Paradigm Shift. Stephen R. Covey, His Principles of true North, 7 habits which create the upward spiral, parallel Paul's writings concerning growth in Christ. Common sense and exposing observation of natural law and its manifestation.  -- Ron w13, Or
Indeed!!  -- E Archer, NYC

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