Patrick Leahy Quotes

A fair question could be posed in this fashion: If people are not obeying existing laws, what makes us think they would obey any new laws?

I would uphold the law if for no other reason but to protect myself.

While a law is in force it should be lived up to. You have a right to try to change it, and if you can persuade the majority that it should be changed then it will be changed. But you must abide by a law until it is changed or you will be flouting the fundamental things that make us a democracy and a law-abiding nation.

We have a society now where obedience to the law is really a choice, an option only.

The government cannot enforce its mountain of laws and regulations without voluntary compliance.

Obedience to the law is itself a moral duty.

It is not your great father who does this; but the laws of the country, which he and every one of his people is bound to regard.

No man is above the law and no man is below it; nor do we ask any man's permission when we require him to obey it. Obedience to the law is demanded as a right; not asked as a favor.

Let's get our civic laws right and abide by them.

The government has a responsibility to protect society, to help maintain society. That's why we have laws... The rule of law creates a set of standards for our behavior.

Obedience of the law is demanded; not asked as a favor.

Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the whole people by example. If the government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy.

Respect for the law is not an obligation which is exhausted or obliterated by willingness to accept the penalty for breaking it.

There are not enough jails, not enough policemen, not enough courts to enforce a law not supported by the people.

As laws are necessary that good manners may be preserved, so good manners are necessary that laws may be maintained.

Laws that do not embody public opinion can never be enforced.

The one among you who violates the law is the worst enemy you have.

When you enforce the laws of the state, you don’t get to pick and choose.

Laws are not masters but servants, and he rules them who obeys them.

We simply believe that everyone who lives in our state needs to abide by our laws.

Laws are there for a reason, and we have an obligation to follow them.

A nation that will not enforce its laws has no claim to the respect and allegiance of its people.

Society is well governed when its people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law.

We have one authority and one law and everyone has the responsibility to follow that law and that authority.

A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works.