General Question

pcmonkey's avatar

What does this quote mean?

Asked by pcmonkey (427points) January 4th, 2012 from iPhone

I don’t understand the meaning of this following MLK quote:
“Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but it may restrain the heartless”. What are your comments and responses? I don’t understand what this quote means.

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

8 Answers

XOIIO's avatar

Sorta sounds along the likes of laws can’t change the heart, but stop the heartless from doing something.

Basically laws can stop people from killing blacks without trial, or enslaving them, but won’t change their feelings about it

everephebe's avatar

Laws prevent certain dumb shit, and therefore can be effective.

BosM's avatar

I believe Dr. King’s quote was: “Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but they can restrain the heartless.”

To me this is about morality and behavior. Judicial decrees/laws can govern behavior, but morality comes from the heart….

filmfann's avatar

He is saying that courts can force schools to enroll black students, even though they don’t want to.

Response moderated (Off-Topic)
zenvelo's avatar

No decree was going to change the heart of Sheriff Clark or George Wallace regarding the acceptance of blacks to ride buses or attend schools. But the decrees could restrain the heartlessness of those two men by not allowing them to harm or interfere with the civil rights of Freedom Riders or students.

Pandora's avatar

It won’t give you prevent criminals from committing crime because they can understand right from wrong but it can restrain them from carrying on with their criminal behavior simply because they don’t wish to go to jail.

smilingheart1's avatar

You can rule by force but you cannot force changed attitudes.

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.

This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.

Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther