April 4, 2016

The Best Laws Cannot Make a Constitution Work in Spite of Morals



The best laws cannot make a constitution work in spite of morals; morals can turn the worst laws to advantage. That is a commonplace truth, but one to which my studies are always bringing me back. It is the central point in my conception. I see it at the end of all my reflections.



~ Alexis de Tocqueville, De la supériorité des mœurs sur les lois.





The above is not only a truth. It is a truth we should take to heart—especially in this day and age when we tend to put more emphasis and value on other factors, such as social and economic ones—and a truth we should never forget.