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About this quote

What does it mean?
Laws can be foolish if they ignore human reality; experience should correct rigid rules.
In plain terms
The law is silly if it doesn't make sense.
What can you take from it?
Rules need flexibility to match real life.

Where it applies

  • debating policy
  • critiquing systems
  • legal reform

Putting it to work

  • challenging bad rules
  • learning from experience

Questions to consider

  • When is a law too rigid?
  • How should experience shape rules?

Another view

Laws sometimes need strictness to function, even if they seem harsh.

More from Charles Dickens

  1. Dignity, and even holiness too, sometimes, are more questions of coat and waistcoat than some people imagine.

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  2. Gold conjures up a mist about a man, more destructive of all his old senses and lulling to his feelings than the fumes of charcoal.

    Permalink to quote #33
  3. 'It opens the lungs, washes the countenance, exercises the eyes, and softens down the temper,' said Mr. Bumble. 'So cry away.'

    Permalink to quote #30

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