Introduction to Sociology / Q&A (10/31) / Mingyeong Kim

Q. Law are sand, customs are rock. Laws can be evaded and punishment escaped, but an openly transgressed custom brings sure punishment. - Mark Twain

Why? What did Twain mean by that?

A : I think this is a phenomenon caused by differences in the times when laws and customs are formed, respectively. According to Mark Twain, the law is weak and the customs are strong, and the law is deliberately made for the times, as society directly prescribes it. But customs have been made naturally over time, not intentional. I think it means that customs have greater power because they are not artificial.