"A society deadened by a smothering network of laws while finding release in moral chaos is not likely to be either happy or stable"

Robert Bork's quote uses a critical perspective on the balance in between legal frameworks and moral worths within a society. At its core, the declaration underscores the potential dysfunction that can develop when a society is overwhelmed by a comprehensive and possibly overbearing legal structure, yet concurrently experiences a decrease or confusion in its ethical compass.

Bork recommends that a "smothering network of laws" implies an environment where policies are excessive, potentially causing a bureaucratic or authoritarian atmosphere. In such a setting, individuals might feel constrained by stiff guidelines that determine habits, leaving little space for personal freedom or discretion. This can cause social frustration or disillusionment as individuals browse life mainly through compliance instead of personal or common growth and stability.

On the other hand, Bork describes "ethical turmoil" as the absence or fragmentation of ethical standards that generally direct social behavior. When ethical values are ambiguous or inconsistent, it can lead to actions that are self-serving or harmful to the collective wellness. Without a shared moral structure, trust and cooperation within the community can erode, causing instability.

Bork argues that the coexistence of oppressive legal structures with moral disarray produces an environment that is neither happy nor steady. The implications are profound: laws alone can not sustain a society if they are not underpinned by a meaningful and agreed-upon set of moral worths. Joy and stability occur from a balance where laws are reflective of, and supported by, a strong ethical culture.

Eventually, Bork's quote is a cautionary observation, advocating for a holistic social framework in which laws and morals are harmoniously lined up. For a society to grow, it must ensure that its legal systems not only protect but also empower its citizens, while all at once nurturing shared ethical worths that promote trust, regard, and cohesion.