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Every American has the duty to obey the law and the right to expect that the law will be enforced.
Robert Kennedy
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between citizens and the law, highlighting both duty and expectation.

Robert Kennedy's quote encapsulates the fundamental principles of citizenship in a democratic society, where individuals are expected to respect and obey laws while simultaneously having the rightful expectation that those laws will be upheld and enforced fairly. This creates a shared responsibility between the state and its citizens, reinforcing the importance of law as a foundation for order and justice.

Themes

LawDutyEnforcementCitizenshipJustice

In practice

Example use cases

During a civic education seminar about the importance of rule of law in society.

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