"No, I think that we've got a basic discrepancy here between the rule of law versus the rule of man"
About this Quote
The real work happens in the binary: “rule of law” versus “rule of man.” It’s an old American mythos with a modern edge. “Rule of law” carries the halo of neutrality, fairness, and process. “Rule of man” is the tainted alternative: ego, whim, tyranny. By choosing “man” rather than “men” or “people,” the wording personalizes the threat, suggesting a single overreaching figure or elite class bending society to preference. That framing is especially potent coming from a judge, a role that trades on the promise that judgment isn’t personal.
Subtextually, Moore isn’t just arguing for legality; he’s claiming legitimacy. If you accept his premise, opponents aren’t simply interpreting law differently - they’re attacking the very idea of law. In context, Moore’s public career repeatedly leveraged that posture: presenting conflicts over court orders, constitutional interpretation, and public religious expression as a referendum on whether America is governed by stable principles or by “those people” in power. It’s populism in judicial robes: turning procedural disputes into moral emergency.
Quote Details
| Topic | Justice |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Moore, Roy. (2026, January 16). No, I think that we've got a basic discrepancy here between the rule of law versus the rule of man. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/no-i-think-that-weve-got-a-basic-discrepancy-here-85940/
Chicago Style
Moore, Roy. "No, I think that we've got a basic discrepancy here between the rule of law versus the rule of man." FixQuotes. January 16, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/no-i-think-that-weve-got-a-basic-discrepancy-here-85940/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"No, I think that we've got a basic discrepancy here between the rule of law versus the rule of man." FixQuotes, 16 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/no-i-think-that-weve-got-a-basic-discrepancy-here-85940/. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.













