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About this quote

What does it mean?
Governments need constitutions that allow action without forcing leaders to break the rules.
In plain terms
Laws should let governments work without forcing them to break the law.
What can you take from it?
Constitutions should enable governance without loopholes.

Where it applies

  • policy making
  • legal reform
  • institutional design

Putting it to work

  • drafting flexible laws
  • reviewing regulations
  • ensuring enforceability

Questions to consider

  • What makes a law workable?
  • How do you prevent illegal governance?

Another view

Too much flexibility can lead to abuse of power.

More from Napoleon Bonaparte

  1. What then is, generally speaking, the truth of history ? A fable agreed upon.

    Permalink to quote #31
  2. A Government protected by foreigners will never be accepted by a free people.

    Permalink to quote #33
  3. Those who are free from common prejudices acquire others.

    Permalink to quote #30

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