Full Idea
The existence of law is one thing; its merit and demerit another. Whether it be or be not is one enquiry; whether it be or be not conformable to an assumed standard is a different enquiry.
Gist of Idea
The existence of law is one thing, its merits and demerits another
Source
John Austin (Lectures on Jurisprudence [1858], p.214), quoted by Jens Zimmermann - Hermeneutics: a very short introduction 6 'Positivism'
A Reaction
It is impossible to contest this point, but the issue is whether there is nothing more to law than its written existence.
Book Reference
Zimmerman,Jens: 'Hermeneutics: very short introduction' [OUP 2015], p.103