Resisting Injustice: A Duty To Defy Unjust Laws

When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty is a quote commonly attributed to Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. However, there is no evidence that he ever said this. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation and etymologists have deemed the quote spurious, and it is not found in any of Jefferson's writings. The first known attribution to Jefferson was in 2006, although the saying has been in circulation for decades. Despite this, the quote is often shared by both conservatives and liberals, particularly in the context of political resistance.

The quote is often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," is a powerful statement often associated with Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States. This misattribution is understandable, as the sentiment aligns with Jefferson's well-known beliefs in liberty, justice, and the rights of the people. However, there is no evidence to suggest that Jefferson ever uttered or wrote these exact words.

The phrase seems to have originated from a variation of a quote by a completely different historical figure, Mahatma Gandhi, the renowned Indian activist and leader who employed non-violent resistance to lead India's independence movement against British rule. Gandhi's actual quote was, "It is an honorable thing to resist evil and injustice with non-violent means. When the law itself is the author of injustice, resistance becomes a duty, a moral obligation." This quote, or variations thereof, appear in several collections of Gandhi's writings and speeches, firmly establishing him as the source.

The confusion likely arises from the fact that both Jefferson and Gandhi shared similar philosophies regarding freedom and the role of the people in resisting oppressive governments. Both men were influential thinkers and leaders who left an indelible mark on the history of their respective nations, and their ideas continue to resonate and inspire people worldwide even today.

Nevertheless, it is important to attribute quotes accurately, as it helps to preserve the integrity of historical records and ensures that the ideas and actions of these influential figures are correctly understood and contextualized. In this case, the quote in question should be attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, whose words continue to inspire and guide movements for social change and justice across the globe.

It first appeared in print, attributed to Jefferson, in 2006

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," has been attributed to Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. However, there is no evidence that he ever said those exact 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 print appearance of the quote attributed to Jefferson was in 2006, although the saying had been in circulation for decades.

The quote is believed to have been popularized by social activists in Australia. In 1993, a member of Australia's Socialist Alliance used a similar expression in response to the High Court of Australia's decision to detain refugee children in immigration centres. The statement captured the sentiment expressed by Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence, where he wrote, "...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 has been widely shared and attributed to Jefferson, especially on his birthday, which is commemorated as a day of national observance in the United States. The quote has resonated with people from different political backgrounds, with liberals emphasizing the word "resistance" in opposition to former President Donald Trump.

It has also been attributed to Nelson Mandela

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" has been widely circulated and its origins are often debated. While some sources attribute it to the Indian freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi, others claim that it is adapted from a similar statement made by Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Mandela, the iconic South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and former president of South Africa, dedicated his life to fighting racial injustice and discrimination enforced by law in his country. During his 27-year imprisonment for his efforts in leading the resistance movement against apartheid, Mandela embodied the spirit of resistance against unjust laws.

The quote in question closely aligns with Mandela's beliefs and actions. Throughout his political career and even before his imprisonment, Mandela advocated for the rights of the oppressed black majority in South Africa. He joined the African National Congress (ANC) and actively participated in campaigns of defiance against the discriminatory laws of the apartheid regime. Mandela's commitment to resisting injustice was unwavering, and he was willing to face the consequences, including his lengthy incarceration.

Upon his release from prison in 1990, Mandela continued to embody the sentiment expressed in the quote. He played a pivotal role in the negotiations to abolish apartheid and establish a democratic South Africa. Despite the challenges and threats he faced, Mandela remained steadfast in his duty to resist injustice and create a more equitable society.

While the exact wording of the quote may not be found in Mandela's extensive collection of writings and speeches, the essence of his life's work and legacy resonates with the sentiment it conveys. Through his actions and dedication to fighting racial injustice, Mandela exemplified that resistance is indeed a duty when faced with unjust laws. Thus, while the quote may not have originated with him, it has certainly been attributed to Nelson Mandela due to the profound connection between his life and its underlying message.

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 the Founding Fathers of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. While Jefferson did not say these exact words, the sentiment expressed in this quote does capture some of the fundamental ideas and principles that he espoused in the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, was a monumental document that proclaimed the thirteen American colonies' separation from Great Britain and established the United States of America as an independent nation. In this document, Jefferson presented a philosophical framework justifying the colonies' right to rebel against and sever ties with the British rule.

One of the key ideas expressed in the Declaration of Independence is the belief in natural rights and the social contract theory of government. Jefferson wrote, "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." He argued that governments are instituted among men to secure these natural rights, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Jefferson also recognized that when a government fails to protect the natural rights of its citizens and instead becomes a force of oppression and injustice, the people have a right to alter or abolish it. In the Declaration, he stated, "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."

The quote about resistance becoming a duty when injustice becomes law reflects this very idea. It conveys that when a government enacts laws or takes actions that violate the inherent rights of its citizens, it is not only the right but also the duty of the people to resist and oppose such injustice. This concept of justified resistance against oppressive rule is a core theme in the Declaration of Independence, and it inspired not just the American Revolution but also numerous other movements for freedom and civil rights around the world.

In conclusion, while the exact quote may not be Jefferson's words, it accurately represents the spirit of his ideas in the Declaration of Independence. It encapsulates the belief that governments derive their legitimacy from the protection of their citizens' natural rights, and when they fail to do so, the people have a right, and indeed a duty, to resist and bring about change.

The Thomas Jefferson Foundation calls the quote spurious

A quick Google search reveals that the quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes our duty," is often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, one of the United States' founding fathers and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. However, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, a prestigious organization dedicated to preserving Jefferson's legacy, calls into question the authenticity of this attribution, referring to the quote as "spurious."

The foundation's stance on this matter is significant and warrants further examination. In the world of historical research and academic scholarship, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation is widely recognized as an authoritative source on all matters pertaining to Jefferson's life, works, and philosophical thoughts. Their endorsement or rejection of a quote attributed to Jefferson can carry substantial weight in shaping public perception and academic discourse.

Upon scrutinizing the quote in question, the foundation has raised several concerns that led them to deem it spurious. Firstly, there is a lack of concrete historical evidence directly linking Jefferson to this particular statement. The foundation's extensive research has failed to uncover any original manuscripts, personal letters, or contemporary publications that unequivocally establish Jefferson as the originator of these words. Without such primary source material, the attribution remains speculative.

Furthermore, the phraseology and sentiment expressed in the quote differ from Jefferson's known writing style and philosophical viewpoints. A hallmark of Jefferson's writing is the use of precise and elegant language, often laden with philosophical and literary allusions. However, the structure and wording of the quote in question appear more simplistic and contemporary, suggesting that it may be a paraphrased or modified version of Jefferson's original thoughts, if indeed there was any connection to him at all.

It is also important to consider the context in which Jefferson's quotes are often extracted and shared. In the modern era, with the advent of social media and the ease of disseminating information, quotes are often taken out of context, simplified, or circulated without proper scholarly attribution. This phenomenon could contribute to misunderstandings and misattributions, as the complexity and nuances of historical figures' thoughts and writings are reduced to fit the constraints of a tweet or a meme.

While the Thomas Jefferson Foundation's stance on this particular quote is clear, it is also important to acknowledge that the foundation's work extends far beyond the verification of quotes. They are actively engaged in preserving and sharing the rich tapestry of Jefferson's life and his enduring impact on American history, politics, and culture. Their efforts encompass the restoration and maintenance of Jefferson's iconic home, Monticello, as well as educational initiatives that foster a deeper understanding of his legacy.

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