Resisting Injustice: A Duty To Defy Unjust Laws

When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty is a quote commonly misattributed to Thomas Jefferson. While there is no evidence that Jefferson ever said this, the quote does capture some of the ideas that he expressed in the Declaration of Independence. The phrase has been in circulation for decades and has been used by both conservatives and liberals. It has also been attributed to other famous figures such as Nelson Mandela, but there is also no evidence that he ever said it. The saying appears to have been popularized in Australia, with the first known attribution to Jefferson in 2006.

The quote is often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson, but there is no evidence he said it

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," is a powerful statement often associated with Thomas Jefferson, one of the United States' founding fathers and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. However, upon scrutiny, this attribution to Jefferson appears to be incorrect, and there is no concrete evidence to support this claim.

The phrase itself resonates with the ideals of liberty and justice, and it is understandable why people might assume a connection to Jefferson. As a key figure in the American Revolution and the founding of the nation, Jefferson's writings and speeches are filled with passionate defenses of freedom and resistance to tyranny. His influence on American political thought is undeniable, and his words continue to inspire and shape political discourse.

However, a thorough examination of Jefferson's extensive body of work, including his personal letters, public addresses, and official documents, yields no evidence of this particular phrase. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, dedicated to preserving Jefferson's legacy and maintaining his historic estate, Monticello, has also confirmed that the quote cannot be found in any of Jefferson's writings.

So, if not Jefferson, then who originated this sentiment? The true author of this quote remains a mystery, and it is possible that we may never know the definitive source. Over time, quotes can become separated from their original authors, especially in an era before widespread digital documentation. The phrase may have evolved from a similar sentiment expressed by another individual, or it could be a collective expression of a broader ideological movement.

It has also been attributed to Nelson Mandela, but again, there is no evidence of this

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," has been attributed to Thomas Jefferson and Nelson Mandela. However, there is no evidence that either person ever said it. Etymologist Barry Popik notes that the expression:

> "...has been credited to such famous figures as Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) and Nelson Mandela, but there’s no evidence that either person ever said it."

Popik believes that the phrase was actually popularized by social activists in Australia. The first known attribution of the quote to Thomas Jefferson was in 2006, although the saying has been in circulation for decades.

In 1993, a member of Australia's Socialist Alliance stated:

> "The High Court of Australia’s decision to keep refugee children imprisoned in detention centres makes it crystal clear that injustice has become law in this country. And when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty."

While the quote has been misattributed to Thomas Jefferson and Nelson Mandela, it captures the spirit of resistance and the pursuit of justice that both figures embodied in their respective contexts.

Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, believed in the value of resistance to government and the right to overthrow oppressive regimes. Similarly, Nelson Mandela dedicated his life to fighting injustice, speaking and writing about the need to challenge oppression and inequality.

Despite the misattribution, the quote continues to resonate with people worldwide, inspiring resistance against injustice and reminding us of the duty to uphold justice and protect the rights of all.

The phrase was likely coined by social activists in Australia

The powerful statement, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," has resonated with people across the globe, sparking debates and inspiring resistance against unjust laws and systems. While the exact origins of this phrase remain obscure, evidence and historical context strongly suggest that it was likely coined by social activists in Australia, becoming a rallying cry for their causes.

Australia has a rich history of social activism, with a long tradition of activists advocating for various causes, including indigenous rights, environmental protection, and social justice. The country has witnessed numerous social movements that have shaped its political and social landscape. One of the most prominent and influential movements was the indigenous rights movement, which gained significant momentum in the latter part of the 20th century. During this time, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples fought for land rights, equal treatment under the law, and recognition of their unique cultural heritage.

It is within this turbulent social and political context that the phrase, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," likely emerged. Activists fighting for indigenous rights often faced legal and governmental opposition, with their actions sometimes deemed unlawful or disruptive. As they navigated a landscape where their rights were not always protected or recognized, this phrase would have held significant resonance. It encapsulates the sentiment that when laws are unjust and fail to protect the rights of all citizens, it becomes the duty of the people to resist and challenge those laws.

Furthermore, Australia's history of colonial oppression and the ongoing struggle for reconciliation provide a fertile ground for such a phrase to emerge. The country's dark past includes forced removal of indigenous children from their families, resulting in what is known as the "Stolen Generations." This tragic chapter in Australia's history has left a lasting impact, and the journey towards reconciliation and justice is ongoing. The phrase reflects the sentiment that when past and present injustices are perpetuated or ignored by the law, it is the responsibility of citizens to stand against them.

The first known attribution to Jefferson was in 2006, but the saying has been in circulation for decades

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," is often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence. However, there is no evidence that he ever said or wrote these words. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which maintains his property at Monticello, could not find the saying in any of Jefferson's writings. The first-known attribution to Jefferson was in 2006, but the saying has been in circulation for decades.

Etymologist Barry Popik believes the phrase was popularized by social activists in Australia. In 1993, a member of Australia's Socialist Alliance is recorded as saying: "The High Court of Australia's decision to keep refugee children imprisoned in detention centres makes it crystal clear that injustice has become law in this country. And when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty."

While Jefferson may not have coined the phrase, he did write a similar sentiment in a letter in 1787: "The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the atmosphere."

Additionally, the quote captures some of the ideas that Jefferson expressed in the Declaration of Independence: "...when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government..."

Despite the lack of evidence, the quote continues to be shared and attributed to Jefferson, especially by those invoking a spirit of resistance to political issues.

The quote captures some of the ideas Jefferson expressed in the Declaration of Independence

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes our duty," is often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson, one of America's founding fathers and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. While Jefferson did not originate these exact words, the quote captures some of the ideas he expressed in the Declaration.

The Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, was a formal statement justifying the colonies' right to break away from British rule and establish an independent nation. In it, Jefferson articulated a set of political philosophies and ideals that have come to define American democracy.

At the heart of the Declaration is the belief in certain natural rights that are inherent to all humans and cannot be taken away by any government. These rights, according to Jefferson, include "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." He argued that the purpose of government is to secure these rights, deriving its power from the consent of the governed.

Jefferson wrote, "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

This portion of the Declaration aligns with the sentiment expressed in the misattributed quote. Jefferson believed that when a government fails to protect the natural rights of its citizens and instead becomes a force of oppression, it is the duty of the people to resist and overthrow that government. He recognized that there may be times when governments act unjustly, and in those instances, resistance is not just a right but a responsibility.

Additionally, Jefferson's words emphasize the idea of popular sovereignty, or government by the consent of the governed. This principle, central to the Declaration, suggests that political power ultimately rests with the people. If a government violates the rights of the people, they have the right to resist, alter, or abolish it and form a new government that better serves their interests.

In conclusion, while the quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes our duty," may not be a direct quotation from Thomas Jefferson, it encapsulates the spirit of his ideas in the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson's belief in natural rights, limited government, and popular sovereignty laid the foundation for a nation where citizens are empowered to stand against injustice and hold their government accountable. His words continue to inspire and guide Americans in their pursuit of liberty and justice for all.

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