I shall support the law, for the law gentlemen, is the firm and

Hear the solemn voice of Charles Lawrence, who declared with conviction: “I shall support the law, for the law gentlemen, is the firm and solid basis of civil society, the guardian of liberty, the protection of the innocent, the terror of the guilty, and the scourge of the wicked.” These words shine with the gravity of timeless truth. They remind us that without law, men descend into chaos, and the bonds of community dissolve. But with just and steadfast law, order is preserved, freedom is guarded, and society endures through storm and trial.

The ancients themselves taught this. When Solon gave laws to Athens, he sought not only to restrain the powerful but to shield the weak. His laws became the bones of the polis, giving structure to what had been fragile and divided. In Rome, too, the Twelve Tables were carved in stone so that all might know the rule of justice, and none could claim ignorance. From the beginning, men understood that law is not the enemy of freedom, but its guardian—for liberty without restraint is soon devoured by anarchy, and anarchy in turn gives birth to tyranny.

Consider the tale of England under King John. When the barons rose against him in the 13th century, they did not seek to overthrow law, but to bind the king himself beneath it. From that struggle was born Magna Carta, declaring that even rulers must bow to the rule of law. It was not merely parchment, but a seed of liberty that grew into constitutions across the world. Here, in flesh and blood, we see Lawrence’s truth: the law is the shield of the innocent, the yoke of the guilty, and the foundation of all lasting civil society.

Yet the law is not merely chains to restrain. It is also the voice of protection. When it is wielded with justice, it becomes the bulwark against cruelty, the sanctuary for those who have no sword. Think of the abolition of slavery, when the law was finally turned from protecting the strong to protecting the oppressed. When Lincoln declared emancipation, and when later amendments enshrined equality, the law became what Lawrence called it: the terror of the guilty and the scourge of the wicked who would deny humanity to others.

O seeker, understand this: to uphold the law is to uphold civilization itself. But beware—for not every law is just. A law corrupted by tyranny ceases to be guardian and becomes oppressor. The true meaning of Lawrence’s words lies in this balance: we must support law not blindly, but rightly, ensuring it serves liberty, protects innocence, and punishes wickedness. For the law is not stone, but clay—it is shaped by the hands of men, and those hands must be guided by virtue.

Let your spirit, then, be disciplined in both obedience and vigilance. Obey the laws that protect justice and order, for without them, freedom dies. But resist the corruption of laws that enslave or oppress, for such are the weapons of tyrants. Support leaders who uphold fairness, and work in your own life to honor both the letter and the spirit of justice. Be not swayed by selfish gain, but remember always that in serving the law, you serve your neighbor, your community, your world.

In practice, live as one who honors justice daily. Pay respect to rules that safeguard peace, protect the vulnerable when you see them threatened, and never let wickedness hide beneath silence. Learn the laws of your land, but also measure them against the eternal laws of conscience. When you find them aligned, support them with strength; when you find them bent, labor to make them straight again. For the work of building a just civil society never ends.

So I say unto you: heed the words of Charles Lawrence. The law is indeed the firm foundation of society, the guardian of liberty, the protection of the innocent, the terror of the guilty, and the scourge of the wicked. Support it, defend it, and refine it. For when the law stands righteous, nations endure; but when it crumbles, even the mightiest empire falls to dust.