Resisting Injustice: A Duty To Uphold Freedom

When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty is a quote that has been commonly misattributed to Thomas Jefferson. While the phrase captures some of the ideas that Jefferson expressed in the Declaration of Independence, there is no evidence that he ever said or wrote these exact words. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which maintains his property at Monticello, could not find the saying in any of his writings. 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, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty", is often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson. While the sentiment may align with some of Jefferson's known beliefs, there is no evidence that he ever expressed this specific thought. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which maintains his property at Monticello, has been unable to 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 prior.

Etymologist Barry Popik believes the phrase was actually popularized by social activists in Australia. In 1993, a member of Australia's Socialist Alliance used a similar expression in a statement: "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 exact phrase "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" has not been found in Jefferson's writings, he did express 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..."

Additionally, in a letter written in 1787, Jefferson expressed his support for rebellion and resistance: "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."

So, while the quote in question may capture some of Jefferson's beliefs and ideas, it is important to acknowledge that it is not a direct quote from his writings.

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

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

Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, did believe in rebellion, and some of his letters convey that sentiment. 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."

The Declaration of Independence, written by Jefferson, also states that "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..." This idea aligns closely with the misattributed quote, as it asserts the right and duty of the people to resist and overthrow a government that has become oppressive and unjust.

Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration of Independence included a grievance about the slave trade, which was removed to gain the support of the southern states. This omission highlights a contradiction in Jefferson's own beliefs and actions, as he himself kept and sold slaves, profiting from and exploiting the very system of injustice that he purportedly spoke out against.

In summary, while the quote "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" cannot be verified as having been said by Thomas Jefferson, it does reflect some of the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence, namely the right and duty of the people to resist and overthrow an unjust government.

Jefferson believed in rebellion and conveyed this in his letters

Thomas Jefferson is often misattributed with the phrase, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty". While there is no evidence that he ever expressed this exact sentiment, Jefferson did believe in the right to rebel against the government. In a letter written in 1787, he expressed his desire for "the spirit of resistance to government" to be "kept alive". He went on to write:

> "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, was known for his progressive attitude towards African slaves, and his principles have been major tools in the fight for equality. However, he also kept and sold slaves for labour and, in some cases, sex.

The phrase "when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" first appeared in print in 2006, but it had been in circulation for decades. It is believed to have been originally coined by social activists in Australia.

The first known attribution to Jefferson was in 2006

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty", is commonly misattributed to Thomas Jefferson. While Jefferson did believe in rebellion and his letters convey this 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 Jefferson's writings.

The first known attribution of the quote to Jefferson was in 2006, although the saying had been in circulation for decades. According to etymologist Barry Popik, the phrase was actually popularized by social activists in Australia. In 1993, a member of Australia's Socialist Alliance used a similar phrase to criticize the High Court of Australia's decision to detain refugee children. The exact quote first appeared in print, attributed to Jefferson, in 2006, in R.F. Doyle's book, 'Save the Males: Common Sense on Family and Gender Issues'.

Despite the lack of evidence, the quote continues to be shared and associated with Jefferson, especially on his birthday, which is commemorated as a day of national observance in the United States. Both conservatives and liberals have shared the quote, with many liberal users finding significance in Jefferson's sayings that invoke the word "resistance".

The phrase was likely popularised by social activists in Australia

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 he ever said 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, although the expression has been in circulation for decades.

Etymologist Barry Popik believes the phrase was likely popularised by social activists in Australia. This belief is supported by a quote from a member of Australia's Socialist Alliance in 1993:

> "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."

The quote captures some of the ideas that Jefferson expressed in the Declaration of Independence, which he wrote. For example, the following excerpt conveys a similar sentiment:

> "...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..."

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