A recent essay on Thomas Mann by Christopher Beta reminded me of the sharp distinction—opposition even—that Mann drew between "civilization" and "culture," terms that we often treat as synonymous. For Mann, civilization involves the taming of baser human impulses via universalizing reason and morals; culture sublimates them into particular artistic expression. I take Mann's point, but it set me to wondering about the place and concept of law, which is commonly thought of as a (maybe even "the") hallmark of civilization. Perhaps instead of falling on one side or the other, law adds something to both.