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Law Number L: The average regulation has a life span…

“Law Number L: The average regulation has a life span one-fifth as long as a chimpanzee's and one-tenth as long as a human's, but four times as long as the official's who created it.” quote by Norman Ralph Augustine
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“Law Number L: The average regulation has a life span one-fifth as long as a chimpanzee's and one-tenth as long as a human's, but four times as long as the official's who created it.”

Norman Ralph Augustine

About This Quote

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

Regulations often outlast the officials who create them, yet are short-lived compared to living beings.

In simple terms: Rules last longer than their makers but shorter than life spans.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the fleeting nature of policies.

Themes

policy longevity bureaucracy humanity life_cycle

Mood

cynical reflective

Type

analytical critical

When to use this quote

  • legislative drafting
  • policy review
  • public administration
  • academic research
  • media commentary

Key Concepts

Regulatory decay institutional inertia human lifespan comparison

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we design more adaptable regulations?
  • What mechanisms ensure policies stay relevant?
A Different Perspective

Rules may be ignored or overridden despite longevity.

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