"Most of the Ten Commandments are negative. The purpose of law is not to mandate good behavior. That concept comes from the French Revolution"
- Randall Terry
About this Quote
This quote by Randall Terry recommends that the Ten Commandments are primarily concentrated on what not to do, instead of what to do. He suggests that the function of law is not to dictate what is great or bad behavior, but rather to provide a framework for how individuals need to communicate with each other. This principle of law as a structure for habits is something that was promoted throughout the French Revolution, when the concept of private rights and flexibilities was initially presented. Terry's quote indicates that the Ten Commandments are not suggested to be a moral code, however rather a set of guidelines for how people must connect with each other. By understanding this idea, we can better understand the purpose of law and how it should be used to secure the rights of individuals.