Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Robert M. MacIver Quote “The legal code can never be identified with the code of morals. It is no more the function of government to impose a moral code than to impose a religious code. And for the same reason.” ~ Robert M. MacIver The Web of Government, 1947 Government , Justice , Law , Morals , Religion , Virtue Ratings and Comments Reply Mike, Norwalk 1/31/08 Exactly, both are out of de jure government's prevue. Reply trinity dushon, S.F.,,Ca. 1/31/08 you said a mouth full on this one....trinity dushon Reply Logan, Memphis, TN 1/31/08 Reply J Carlton, Calgary 1/31/08 I note that a "Legal Code" and a "Code of Justice" are two very different things. The Government's ONLY job is to preserve justice...it can not create it. Reply warren, olathe 1/31/08 Separate morals from the legal code and you have nothing but a vehicle for imposing the unrestrained will of tyrants. Note he infers that morals are an imposition. Reply Ken, Allyn, WA 1/31/08 Morality requires you to respect life, liberty, and property. Government provides the consequences when people do not abide by those morals that can affect your neighbors. There are obviously other requirements of morality that do not impose themselves on others if you fail to follow them. Those are not governments business. It is a matter of conscience between you and your God. Reply E Archer, NYC 2/2/08 Compulsory morality is merely forcing one's own values upon another. If kindness, charity, and aid is not voluntary then it is but a form of tyranny. There is a HUGE difference between following one's own good conscience and being compelled to obey the 'authorities.' The essense of sovereignty. Reply Alan Steele, Vina del Mar, Chile 12/23/08 E Archer hit the nail on the head. Witness the culture wars, where the extreme evangelicals tried to impose their morality. Such impositions inevitably end up backfiring and creating ill will in the society. SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Robert M. MacIver quote is found in these categories: Government quotes Justice quotes Law quotes Morals quotes Religion quotes Virtue quotes About Robert M. MacIver Bio of Robert M. MacIver Quotations by Robert M. MacIver Books by/about Robert M. MacIver Robert M. MacIver videos Robert M. MacIver on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Robert M. MacIver