structural:scholar_edition, quality:corruption, information:highlighting
Natural law

Augustine was among the earliest to examine the legitimacy of the laws of man, and attempt to define the boundaries of what laws and rights occur naturally, instead of being arbitrarily imposed by mortals. All who have wisdom and conscience, he concludes, are able to use reason to recognize the lex naturalis, natural law. Mortal law should not attempt to force people to do what is right or avoid what is wrong, but simply to remain just. Therefore " an unjust law is no law at all ". People are not obligated to obey laws that are unjust, those that their conscience and reason tell them violate natural law and rights.