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There is a written and an unwritten law. The one by which…

“There is a written and an unwritten law. The one by which we regulate our constitutions in our cities is the written law; that which arises from customs is the unwritten law.” quote by Diogenes Laertius
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“There is a written and an unwritten law. The one by which we regulate our constitutions in our cities is the written law; that which arises from customs is the unwritten law.”

Diogenes Laertius

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Written law governs formally; unwritten law emerges from customs and shared expectations.

In simple terms: Rules are both written and unwritten.

Key Takeaway

Balance formal rules with cultural norms.

Themes

law custom society

Mood

analytical thoughtful

Type

philosophical informative

When to use this quote

  • governance
  • community building
  • conflict resolution
  • policy making

Key Concepts

legal theory social contract normativity

Questions to Reflect On

  • What unwritten rules shape your community?
  • How do they conflict with written law?
A Different Perspective

Unwritten norms can be ambiguous and contested.

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