Henry David Thoreau, (1817-1862) American author, poet, philosopher, polymath, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, historian, and transcendentalist Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Henry David Thoreau Quote “The law will never make men free; it is men who have got to make the law free.”Henry David Thoreau ~ Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American author, poet, philosopher, polymath, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, historian, and transcendentalistSlavery in Massachusetts (1854) Freedom , Law , Slavery Ratings and Comments Reply Mike, Norwalk 7/8/09 The law, as described by the founders, is outside man's ability to make or manipulate. Self expression that abides codes, ordinances, regulations, rules, statutes, etc. that are in harmony with the law of nature and nature's God will define man's freedom. Anything more or less is despotism and tyranny. Man's laws, contrary to that which is, will never make men free, freedom and liberty are inalienable as a faculty of birth.. Reply Mike, Norwalk 7/8/09 This would get 5 stars from me, if the 'law' here referenced, was uniquely defined as man's codes, ordinances, regulations, rules, statutes, etc. with no regard to the laws of nature and of nature's God. Reply Justin, Elkland, Missouri 7/8/09 Men are most free in the absence of law. The question is how much freedom we are willing to give up in order to create more laws. Unfortunately for me, that threshold was crossed before I was born. Reply Waffler, Smith 7/8/09 Law defines are relationships to each other and to our natural environment. Children no nothing of law and parents teach them one day at a time the rules to be followed if they choose to live among men. Traveling out west a 12 year old niece of mine carved her name in a beautiful natural rock point of interest. I rubbed it out and explained to her that it is okay for her but if every visitor carved their name there wouldi be no point of interest left. This is what laws and rules do preserve and protect mans relationships with each other and his environment. The best law common sense. Reply RBESRQ 7/8/09 Beautiful! How can you be so blind. It is Law that inhibits man. A society based on love and trust needs no law. Only a society that is corrupt needs law and shackles those that don't. Reply RBESRQ 7/8/09 The only true law is SELF unto no other law shall I submit. Reply Mike, Norwalk 7/8/09 Robert, to your second post, exactly! You are subject to nature, physics, science, the more abstract (larceny, life, etc.) with not always such immediate consequences, etc. Other than that, to thine own self be true, your rights ending at the other guy's nose. Reply E Archer, NYC 7/9/09 I believe that 'law' in this instance is not Natural Law. I'll call it poetic license. ;-) Reply Allen Weingarten, Monroe Township, NJ 1/12/10 If we view 'law' as the constraints on man's aggression (such as "Thou shalt not...") it has a negative role. Development, on the other hand, is due to free choice. Scientific law indicates the consequences of action, so it lacks any moral direction. Reply bruski, naples FL 4/7/14 Yep.Cheers,b SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Henry David Thoreau quote is found in these categories: Freedom quotes Law quotes Slavery quotes About Henry David Thoreau Bio of Henry David Thoreau Quotations by Henry David Thoreau Books by/about Henry David Thoreau Henry David Thoreau videos Henry David Thoreau on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Henry David Thoreau