Bound by Law, Freed by Law: Cicero’s Lesson for Modern Society
“We are bound by the law so that we may be free.” – Cicero
Laws exist to provide structure, stability, and justice. Throughout history, there has been an ongoing tension between those who seek to refine laws for the benefit of all and those who attempt to dismantle them when they prove inconvenient. Cicero’s words remind us that true freedom does not come from the absence of law but from a legal system that protects the rights and liberties of its people. The challenge for any society, then, is distinguishing between constructive legal reform and the cynical manipulation of law for personal or ideological gain.
The Role of Law in a Free Society
Cicero, a staunch defender of the Roman Republic, understood that law is not merely a restriction but a foundation upon which civilisation is built. As philosopher John Finnis argues in Natural Law and Natural Rights, laws should be evaluated based on their capacity to promote the common good, ensuring justice and fairness across society. Legal systems, when functioning properly, safeguard fundamental rights, provide mechanisms for resolving disputes, and prevent the descent into tyranny or anarchy.
Finnis, John. Natural Law and Natural Rights. Oxford University Press, 1980. https://archive.org/details/NaturalLawAndNaturalRightsClarendonLaw2011
However, history shows us that laws can be corrupted. There is a stark difference between improving laws - through reasoned debate, judicial interpretation, and democratic process - and dismantling them in ways that serve narrow interests. Those who attempt to bend laws to fit their personal ideology or who reject legal authority altogether fail to see that law is not an individual burden but a collective agreement that enables societal cohesion.
The Danger of Subverting the Rule of Law
A contemporary example illustrating this tension involves recent comments by U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference. Vance criticised the United Kingdom’s policies on safe access zones around abortion clinics, which are designed to protect women from harassment.
Citing the The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act, he claimed that individuals were being prosecuted for silently praying near these clinics and alleged that the Scottish government warned citizens that private prayer within their own homes could be illegal. These assertions were swiftly refuted by officials. The Scottish government stated, “Private prayer at home is not prohibited within safe access zones and no letter has ever suggested it was” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/14/thought-and-cancelled-elections-how-do-jd-vances-europe-claims-stand-up
Such misrepresentations can undermine public trust in legal institutions and distort the purpose of laws intended to protect vulnerable individuals.
In contrast, legal scholar Ronald Dworkin emphasises that laws should be interpreted in light of moral principles and the rights of individuals. Mischaracterising protective laws not only subverts their intent but also erodes the public’s understanding of justice and fairness.
Dworkin, Ronald. Taking Rights Seriously. Harvard University Press, 1977. https://scholarship.law.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2438&context=lawreview
The Need for Legal Education and Civic Responsibility
For a society to function under the rule of law, its citizens must understand the role of legal institutions and their place within them. As Dworkin argues, democracy is not just about majority rule; it is about a legal framework that respects fundamental rights and principles of justice. This is why legal education is so crucial—not just for lawyers and judges, but for all citizens.
Understanding the difference between improving law for the betterment of society and undermining it for personal gain requires a commitment to civic responsibility. We must teach ourselves and future generations that laws are not obstacles to freedom but the very conditions that make freedom possible. The judiciary, as the enforcer of legal principles, must be respected, and legal reform must be approached with thoughtfulness, not destruction.
Conclusion
Cicero’s wisdom remains as relevant today as it was over two millennia ago. The rule of law is the foundation of any free society, but its strength depends on how we engage with it. True progress comes from improving laws that fall short of justice, not discarding them to suit personal agendas. If we are to remain bound by law in a way that secures our freedom, we must approach legal reform with integrity, respect for institutions, and an unwavering commitment to the common good.