Property, marriage, the law; as the bed to the river, so…
““Property, marriage, the law; as the bed to the river, so rule and convention to the instinct; and woe to him who tampers with the banks while the flood is flowing.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Societal rules and institutions constrain natural instincts, and interfering with them during upheaval leads to disaster.
In simple terms: Rules restrain instincts; meddling in chaos is harmful.
Key Takeaway
Respect natural flows and avoid over‑control.
Themes
society
law
instinct
Mood
cautionary
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- legal reform
- environmental policy
- personal boundaries
- crisis management
Key Concepts
social contract
anarchism
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- When should you challenge conventions?
- What instincts guide your decisions?
A Different Perspective
Rigid rules may stifle necessary adaptation.