Louis D. Brandeis Quotes

Law is nothing unless close behind it stands a warm, living public opinion.

We are ruled by public opinion, not by statute law.

No law is stronger than is the public sentiment where it is to be enforced.

Even legal documents are of little value if there is not behind them the force of public opinion and public approval.

Public opinion is stronger than the legislature, and nearly as strong as the ten commandments.

Public opinion has become the public law

… the most powerful weapon that we have our command to-day is public opinion. Statesmen quail before it and it could move mountains!

If the law is upheld only by government officials, then all law is at an end.

Public opinion is a second conscience.

No written law has ever been more binding than unwritten custom supported by popular opinion.

Unlike any other nation, here the people rule, and their will is the supreme law.

Law has the power to compel: indeed, the ability to enforce is a condition of the ability to command.

I well understand that the role of Attorney General is to enforce the law as it is, not as I would have it.

The court of public opinion is open 24 hours a day.

If there be no officer to enforce the Law, of what avail is the judge?

Laws can only be as effective as the willingness of people to obey them.

He who molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions.

Whatever the People has last ordained shall be held as binding by law.

Today's public opinion, though it may appear as light as air, may be tomorrow's legislation-for better or for worse.

The world is governed much more by opinion than by laws. It is not the judgment of courts, but the moral judgment of individuals and masses of men, which is the wall of defense around property and life.

Public opinion is the most potent monarch this world knows.

Nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced

No usurped power can stand against the artillery of opinion.

Policy makers do the right thing only if the public makes as much noise as possible.

If a statute rightly reflects the opinion of the people for whom it is passed, or is adapted to give effect to that opinion, it gets itself enforced. If the contrary is true, the law fails of effect.