A constitution should be short and obscure.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Napoleon believes constitutions should be brief and unclear.
- In plain terms
- Laws should be short and hard to understand.
- What can you take from it?
- Ambiguity in law can allow flexibility.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Should laws be clear or flexible?
- What makes a good constitution?
Another view
Unclear laws can lead to abuse or confusion.
More from Napoleon Bonaparte
Give them a whiff of grapeshot.
Permalink to quote #207 Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
Permalink to quote #209 You would make a ship sail against the winds and currents by lighting a bonfire under her deck? Excuse me, I have no time to listen to such nonsense.
Permalink to quote #206
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