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[W]here there is no law, there is no liberty; and nothing deserves the name of law but that which is certain and universal in its operation upon all the members of the community.
Benjamin Rush
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote suggests that true freedom cannot exist without laws that apply equally to everyone.

Benjamin Rush emphasizes the importance of law as a foundation for liberty. He asserts that without the presence of a structured and universally applied legal framework, individuals cannot experience genuine freedom, as laws provide the necessary boundaries and protections that allow for civil society to flourish. The statement reflects on the essential role of law in promoting equality and governance within a community.

Themes

LawLibertyFreedomEqualityCommunity

In practice

Example use cases

During a lecture on civil rights, one might quote this to discuss the balance of law and liberty.

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...This large and expensive stock of drugs will be unnecessary. By...doses of...medicines...multiplying...combining them properly, 20 to 30 articles, aided by the common resources of the lancet, a garden, a kitchen, fresh air, cool water, exercise, will be sufficient to cure all the diseases that are at present under the power of medicine.
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The Bible, when not read in schools, is seldom read in any subsequent period of life...The Bible...should be read in our schools in preference to all other books because it contains the greatest portion of that kind of knowledge which is calculated to produce private and public happiness.
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The gospel of Jesus Christ prescribes the wisest rules for just conduct in every situation in life. Happy they who are enabled to obey them in all situations!
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Dissections daily convince us of our ignorance of the seats of diseases, and cause us to blush at our prescriptions. How often are we disappointed in our expectation from the most certain and powerful of our remedies, by the negligence or obstinacy of our patients! What mischief have we done under the belief of false facts and false theories! We have assisted in multiplying diseases. We have done more — we have increased their mortality.
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Temperate, sincere, and intelligent inquiry and discussion are only to be dreaded by the advocates of error. The truth need not fear them.
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The art of healing is like an unroofed temple, uncovered at the top and cracked at the foundation.
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