Tis a ground and principle in the law, said Triptolemus…
““Tis a ground and principle in the law, said Triptolemus, that things do not ascend, but descend in it; and I make no doubt ’tis for this cause, that however true it is, that the child may be of the blood and seed of its parents — that the parents, nevertheless, are not of the blood and seed of it; inasmuch as the parents are not begot by the child, but the child by the parents — For so they write, Liberi sunt de sanguine patris & matris, sed pater & mater non sunt de sanguine liberorum.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage explains that lineage is one‑directional: children inherit from parents, not the reverse, emphasizing biological hierarchy.
In simple terms: Children inherit from parents, not vice versa.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the direction of inheritance.
Themes
family
inheritance
law
Mood
analytical
scholarly
Type
explanatory
historical
When to use this quote
- family trees
- legal definitions
- anthropology studies
Key Concepts
genealogy
biological hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do cultural factors shape identity beyond genetics?
- Can inheritance be non‑biological?
A Different Perspective
It overlooks social influences on identity.