Resist Not Evil

Clarence Darrow (1857 - 1938)

Clarence Darrow, perhaps best known as the defense attorney for John Scopes in the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925, had a long career defending controversial cases and advocating for social justice. His experiences working within the justice system led him to question its underlying precepts. He held that punishment, with its associated violence and cruelty and no consideration of the circumstances of the so-called criminal, only serves to perpetuate human misery and does nothing to lessen crime. This work, Resist Not Evil, outlines in high oratory and irrefutable logic the flaws in the justice system. The title refers to the bible verse Matthew 5:39 where Jesus instructs his followers to not retaliate against those who wrong them, but to respond with love and forgiveness, even if it means more suffering. - Summary by M. Weller

Genre(s): *Non-fiction, Essays & Short Works, Law

Language: English

Keyword(s): punishment (13), non-violence (5), causes of crime (1), justice system (1)

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 00 Preface Martha H. Weller
00:02:35
Play 01 Chapter 1. The Nature of the State Martha H. Weller
00:10:43
Play 02 Chapter 2. Armies and Navies Martha H. Weller
00:15:58
Play 03 Chapter 3. The Purpose of Armies Martha H. Weller
00:09:06
Play 04 Chapter 4. Civil Government Martha H. Weller
00:12:52
Play 05 Chapter 5. Theory of Crime and Punishment Martha H. Weller
00:08:50
Play 06 Chapter 6. Remedial Effects of Punishment Martha H. Weller
00:21:30
Play 07 Chapter 7. Cause of Crime Martha H. Weller
00:18:13
Play 08 Chapter 8. The Proper Treatment of Crime Martha H. Weller
00:06:23
Play 09 Chapter 9. Impossibility of Just Judgment Martha H. Weller
00:09:59
Play 10 Chapter 10. The Judge of the Criminal Martha H. Weller
00:06:42
Play 11 Chapter 11. The Measure of Punishment Martha H. Weller
00:17:18
Play 12 Chapter 12. Who Deserves Punishment Martha H. Weller
00:04:57
Play 13 Chapter 13. Natural Law and Conduct Martha H. Weller
00:11:18
Play 14 Chapter 14. Rules Governing Penal Codes and Their Victims Martha H. Weller
00:12:50
Play 15 Chapter 15. The Machinery of Justice Martha H. Weller
00:14:49
Play 16 Chapter 16. The Right Treatment of Violence Martha H. Weller
00:17:53