Resisting Injustices: Duty To Defy Unjust Laws, Embrace Freedom

The quote, When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty, is often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, one of the United States' founding fathers and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. However, there is no evidence that Jefferson ever said or wrote these words. The phrase has also been credited to other famous figures, such as Nelson Mandela, but its true origin remains unknown. Despite this, the quote has become a popular expression of resistance and activism, often used in political protests and movements.

Thomas Jefferson's beliefs on rebellion

Although the quote "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" has been attributed to Thomas Jefferson, there is no evidence that he ever said or wrote this. In fact, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation calls the quote "spurious", and it cannot be found anywhere in his writings. The phrase was likely popularised by social activists in Australia in the 1990s.

However, Jefferson did believe in rebellion and the spirit of resistance to the government. In a letter from 1787, he wrote:

> "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."

Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, believed that resistance to government could be valuable, even if it was sometimes exercised in the wrong direction. He saw it as a necessary part of a healthy political atmosphere, and better than not speaking out against the government at all.

The quote's use in modern politics

The quote "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" is often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, one of the United States' founding fathers and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. However, there is no evidence that Jefferson ever said or wrote these words. In fact, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation has labelled the quote as "spurious", and it cannot be found anywhere in his writings.

Despite this, the quote is often used in modern politics, particularly by those on the left, as a call to action against perceived injustices. In the United States, it has been used by those opposed to the policies of former President Donald Trump, and by those critical of the Biden administration. The quote has also been used in other countries, such as Australia, where members of the Socialist Alliance have used it in reference to the detention of refugee children.

The sentiment expressed in the quote reflects Jefferson's belief in the value of resistance to government, as expressed in his 1787 letter: "The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive... I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the atmosphere."

While the origin of the quote may be disputed, its enduring appeal in modern politics lies in its ability to capture the tension between legal authority and moral duty, and to inspire activism and resistance in the face of perceived injustice.

The quote's use in social activism

The quote "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" is often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, one of the United States' founding fathers and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. However, there is no evidence that Jefferson ever said or wrote these words. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which maintains his property at Monticello, has been unable to find the saying in any of Jefferson's writings, and etymologist Barry Popik also believes the phrase was popularized by social activists in Australia.

Despite the uncertainty around its origin, the quote has become a rallying cry for social activism and has been used by both conservative and liberal groups to oppose political decisions they deem unjust. The quote has been shared widely on social media, often with the hashtag "#resistance", and has appeared on protest t-shirts and memes.

The sentiment expressed in the quote reflects a belief in the importance of standing up against perceived injustices, even when they are sanctioned by law. This idea of resistance as a moral duty resonates with people across the political spectrum and has been used to justify opposition to various political figures and decisions.

While the exact origin of the quote remains unknown, its enduring popularity and resonance in social activism underscore its powerful message of challenging unjust laws and the duty to resist and seek change.

The quote's use in popular culture

The quote "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" has been widely attributed to Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States and the author of the Declaration of Independence. However, there is no evidence that Jefferson ever said or wrote these words. In fact, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation has labelled the quote as "spurious", and it is not found in any of his writings. Despite this, the quote is often shared and used in popular culture, especially in political activism and resistance movements.

The quote has been used by both conservative and liberal groups, with the latter placing special significance on Jefferson's sayings that invoke the word "resistance", particularly during the presidency of Donald Trump. The phrase has also been used in memes, with variations such as "When tyranny becomes law, resistance becomes duty".

The sentiment expressed in the quote, however, is not unique to Jefferson. Etymologist Barry Popik notes that the expression has also been credited to other famous figures like Nelson Mandela, but there is no evidence to support these attributions either.

The quote's popularity can be seen in its use on merchandise such as t-shirts, with descriptions like "political t-shirt, activism clothing apparel, politics protester, protest tee shirt quotes, activist protesting gifts". This indicates that the phrase has become a rallying cry for political activists and protesters.

While the origin of the quote may be uncertain, its enduring appeal lies in its powerful message of standing up against injustice and the belief that resistance is a moral duty when faced with unjust laws.

The quote's origin

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," is often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. However, there is no evidence that Jefferson ever said or wrote these words. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which maintains his property at Monticello, has stated that the quote is "spurious," and it cannot be found in any of Jefferson's writings.

Despite this, the quote has been widely circulated and shared, particularly on social media platforms like Twitter. Both conservatives and liberals have used the quote, especially in the context of political opposition or resistance. The phrase has also appeared on merchandise such as t-shirts, with some variations including an image of a crab.

While the exact origin of the quote remains uncertain, it is believed to have been 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 several decades.

Etymologist Barry Popik notes that the expression has been credited to other famous figures like Nelson Mandela, but there is no evidence to support these claims either.

Frequently asked questions