Necessity knows no law; I know some attorneys of the same.
What's the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: This quote cleverly juxtaposes two contrasting concepts: necessity and law, and humorously suggests a parallel between the relentlessness of necessity and the perceived opportunism of certain attorneys. To fully grasp its meaning, let's dissect it.
Firstly, "necessity knows no law" implies that when faced with urgent needs or unavoidable circumstances, people may feel compelled to act regardless of legal or moral constraints. This phrase encapsulates the idea that when individuals are in desperate situations, they may prioritize survival or resolution above adherence to established rules or norms. It underscores the powerful force that necessity can exert on human behavior, often overriding considerations of legality or ethical standards.
On the other hand, the second part of the quote humorously suggests that some attorneys possess a similar disregard for conventional laws or ethics, albeit in a different context. Here, the comparison between necessity and attorneys implies that just as necessity can override laws, some attorneys may display a knack for finding loopholes or bending rules to achieve their desired outcomes. It's a playful commentary on the stereotype of lawyers as cunning or opportunistic individuals who navigate legal systems with agility and sometimes exploit ambiguities for their advantage.
The clever twist in the quote lies in its subtle parallelism: while necessity operates out of urgency and survival instincts, attorneys may operate out of professional strategy or ambition. Yet, both can be perceived as operating outside the bounds of strict adherence to established laws or principles, albeit for vastly different reasons.
Moreover, the quote suggests a certain level of skepticism towards the legal profession, highlighting the perception that attorneys, like the force of necessity itself, may sometimes operate beyond the constraints of conventional laws or ethical norms. It's a wry observation on human behavior and societal institutions, hinting at the complexities and contradictions inherent in both.
Overall, this quote offers a nuanced commentary on the interplay between necessity, law, and human behavior, while injecting a touch of humor and skepticism towards the legal profession. It invites reflection on the ways in which individuals navigate constraints, whether driven by urgent needs or strategic considerations, and underscores the ever-present tension between adherence to rules and the pursuit of desired outcomes.
Who said the quote?
The quote "Necessity knows no law; I know some attorneys of the same." is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin (Bio / Quotes). Benjamin Franklin was an American statesman, writer, and inventor who played a key role in the founding of the United States.
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Is there a historical example that illustrates the message of the quote?
The quote “Necessity knows no law; I know some attorneys of the same” reflects the idea that extreme circumstances often compel people to act outside the boundaries of established rules or laws. A historical example that vividly illustrates this concept is the story of the Underground Railroad during the American Civil War.
The Underground Railroad was not a literal railroad but a covert network of safe houses and secret routes used by enslaved African Americans to escape from the Southern states to the Northern states and Canada, where slavery was illegal. The system was operated by abolitionists who believed deeply in the necessity of freeing enslaved people, often breaking the law to do so.
One prominent figure was Harriet Tubman, who escaped from slavery herself and then risked her life repeatedly to lead others to freedom. Tubman and others in the Underground Railroad operated outside of the law because the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 required that escaped enslaved people be returned to their owners, even if they were found in free states. According to the law, aiding and abetting an escapee was a crime. However, the urgent necessity of ending slavery and rescuing fellow human beings drove Tubman and her allies to defy these legal constraints.
Their actions were a direct challenge to the prevailing legal system of their time, demonstrating that when faced with profound moral imperatives, individuals may disregard established laws if they believe those laws are unjust. This historical example underscores the essence of the quote, showing that necessity can override the formal constraints of legal systems.
How can the quote be applied in a real-life scenario?
In real-life scenarios, the quote can be applied to situations where individuals or groups face urgent moral or ethical dilemmas that conflict with existing laws or regulations. Consider a modern example in the realm of healthcare: the case of unauthorized medical treatment during a public health crisis.
Imagine a scenario where a new, highly infectious disease emerges, and a particular drug or treatment shows promise in early trials but has not yet been approved by health regulatory agencies. If the disease is rapidly spreading and causing severe harm or death, healthcare professionals might feel an urgent necessity to use the unapproved treatment to save lives, even though doing so would violate regulatory guidelines.
In this scenario, the necessity of addressing an immediate health crisis compels these professionals to act outside the usual legal and procedural constraints. Their actions are driven by the imperative to save lives, which they may prioritize over adhering strictly to regulatory protocols.
This situation illustrates how the concept of "necessity knows no law" plays out in real life. It highlights how critical circumstances can lead individuals to challenge or bypass established rules when they believe that the existing laws are inadequate to address urgent needs effectively. This application of the quote emphasizes the tension between legal compliance and ethical responsibility, showcasing how necessity can sometimes force people to make difficult decisions outside the bounds of formal regulations.
Applying the quote to your life
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Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
