Necessity is a compelling force which often forces man to indulge in even criminal deeds. The starving man may commit murder to steal food because his innate instinct for survival forces him to obtain food by fair and foul means. Even the law recognizes this truth. If a crime is committed under compelling circumstances, the criminal is not punished as severely as he would otherwise be punished. Our innate instinct for survival is a far more potent force than any law of the training provided by civilization. But, on the other hand, many people have the moral and spiritual strength to overcome the pressures of necessity. They will sacrifice themselves before threatening the life of any other person. This is because they obey a higher law the law of conscience.
