"When law becomes despotic, morals are relaxed, and vice versa"

This quote by Honore de Balzac speaks to the relationship in between law and morality. When law ends up being despotic, it can result in a relaxation of morals. This is since when laws end up being oppressive, people may feel that they have no option but to break them in order to make it through. This can result in a decline in moral standards as people become more willing to do whatever it requires to get by. On the other hand, when morals are relaxed, law can become more despotic. This is since when people are not held to a specific ethical standard, they might be more likely to break laws. This can lead to a boost in overbearing laws as governments attempt to control the behavior of their people. Ultimately, this quote speaks to the significance of maintaining a balance in between law and morality in order to make sure a healthy society.