When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty (Spurious Quotation)
Scholars do not believe Jefferson wrote or said, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty."
Quotation: "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty."
Sources consulted:
- Papers of Thomas Jefferson Digital Edition
- Thomas Jefferson: Papers and Biographies collections in Hathi Trust Digital Library
- Thomas Jefferson retirement papers
Other attributions: Henry David Thoreau
First known appearance in print, attributed to Thomas Jefferson: 20061
Comments: This statement has not been found in Thomas Jefferson's writings, although it captures some of the ideas that Jefferson expressed in the Declaration of Independence 2 e.g. "...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..."
- Anna Berkes, 4/11/13
Further Sources
- Popik, Barry. “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty” (’When injustice is law, rebellion is duty"). The Big Apple. September 30, 2012. Extensive analysis of this quotation and its appearances in print and online sources.