Investigative Duty: Resisting Unjust Laws

When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty is a quote that has been misattributed to Thomas Jefferson. While Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, did believe in rebellion, and some of his letters convey that sentiment, there is no evidence that he ever said or wrote this exact phrase. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which maintains his property at Monticello, could not find the saying in any of his writings. The expression has also been credited to other famous figures like Nelson Mandela, but there is also no proof that they said it. The first-known attribution to Jefferson was in 2006, although the saying has been in circulation for decades.

The quote is often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson

The quote in question, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," is a powerful statement often associated with Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the US Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States. However, this attribution is incorrect, and the true origin of the quote is a matter of some debate.

The phrase has become a rallying cry for activists and those seeking to challenge unjust laws and systems. It encapsulates the idea that when laws are perceived as unjust, it is the responsibility of citizens to stand against them. While the sentiment is undoubtedly in line with Jefferson's broader philosophy, particularly his beliefs in liberty and justice, there is no evidence to suggest he ever penned these exact words.

So, who did coin this famous phrase? The answer is likely to be lost to history, but there are a few plausible theories. One suggestion is that the quote originated with the German philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. While Nietzsche's writing often focused on the themes of power, morality, and the will to power, some scholars have drawn connections between his work and the sentiment expressed in the quote. However, no direct link to Nietzsche has been definitively established.

Another possibility is that the quote is a variation of a sentiment expressed by the English poet William Cowper in his poem "The Task," written in 1785. Cowper wrote, "Where law ends, tyranny begins," which conveys a similar idea about the dangerous potential of unjust laws. Over time, this phrase may have evolved into the more succinct and impactful version we know today.

It is also worth noting that the phrase could be an anonymous expression that has emerged from various protests and revolutionary movements throughout history. Often, such powerful and resonant quotes originate from the collective consciousness of a movement, rather than from a single individual.

In conclusion, while the quote "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" is often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, this is a misattribution. The true origin of the quote remains a mystery, with potential links to the works of Nietzsche and Cowper, or perhaps arising from the collective voice of activists throughout history.

It captures some of the ideas Jefferson expressed in the Declaration of Independence

The quote "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" is often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson. While there is no evidence that Jefferson ever said this, it does capture some of the ideas he expressed in the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence, written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The Declaration announced the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain and explained why the Congress had voted to declare American independence.

The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence begins with the famous line: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." This paragraph outlines a general philosophy of government that justifies revolution when the government harms natural rights.

The following paragraph states that governments are instituted by men to secure these rights and 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 is followed by a long list of grievances against King George III, documenting his "repeated injuries and usurpations" of the Americans' rights and liberties. The Declaration concludes that it is the right and duty of the people to "throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

Thomas Jefferson himself believed in rebellion and conveyed similar sentiments in his letters. In 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 did believe in rebellion, and some of his letters convey that sentiment

Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, did believe in rebellion, and some of his letters convey that sentiment. In a letter from 1787, Jefferson 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."

While Jefferson did not use the exact phrase "when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty", this idea is reflected in his writings. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson wrote that when faced with a "long train of abuses" aimed at establishing despotism, it is the right and duty of the people to "throw off such government".

The phrase "when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" has been attributed to Jefferson, but there is no evidence that he ever said or wrote this exact sentence. The first known attribution to Jefferson was in 2006, although the saying has been in circulation for decades. Etymologist Barry Popik believes the phrase was actually popularized by social activists in Australia.

The first known attribution to Jefferson was in 2006

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty", has been attributed to Thomas Jefferson, but there is no evidence that he ever said it. 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, although the saying had been in circulation for decades.

Etymologist Barry Popik believes the phrase was actually popularised by social activists in Australia. In 1993, a member of Australia's Socialist Alliance said:

> 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 didn't use these exact words, the sentiment is similar to some of his other quotes. In 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 also expressed similar ideas 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...

The quote has been used by both conservatives and liberals

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," has been a rallying cry for various political and social movements throughout history, and its usage spans the ideological spectrum. While it has been employed by both conservatives and liberals, the interpretation and application of this phrase can differ significantly between these two camps.

For conservatives, this quote often resonates when they perceive that traditional values, individual liberties, or established social hierarchies are under threat by what they deem as unjust laws or policies imposed by a governing body. For instance, during the early 20th century, conservative Americans resisted the implementation of federal income tax, seeing it as an infringement on their financial freedom and a disruption of the free market economy, which they held dear. In this context, the quote served to galvanize opposition to what they viewed as an overreaching government and its potentially unjust laws.

Liberals, on the other hand, have historically invoked this quote in their pursuit of social justice and equality, particularly when they identify systemic injustices perpetuated by existing laws and societal structures. For example, during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, liberals used this phrase to challenge segregation laws and fight for racial equality. They saw resistance as a moral duty in the face of deeply entrenched and legally sanctioned racial injustices.

In more recent times, this quote has been employed by both sides in the context of government surveillance and the balance between national security and individual privacy. Conservatives may resist what they see as government overreach and an invasion of privacy, while liberals may challenge the potential for discrimination and the targeting of marginalized communities under the guise of national security.

The phrase's broad appeal lies in its emphasis on the individual's role in holding power structures accountable. For conservatives, it speaks to a sense of traditionalism and individual liberty, while for liberals, it embodies the spirit of challenging the status quo in pursuit of a more just and equitable society. Despite their differing ideologies, both sides find common ground in the belief that resistance is necessary when laws fail to uphold the values they hold dear.

Ultimately, the quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," serves as a reminder that the interpretation of justice is inherently subjective and that the political spectrum is complex and multifaceted. It underscores the dynamic nature of political discourse and the ongoing struggle to define and uphold justice in society.

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