Administration Quote by Abraham Lincoln
“No organic law can ever be framed with a provision specifically applicable to every question which may occur in practical administration. .. No foresight can anticipate nor any document of reasonable length contain express provisions for all possible questions.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unrecorded remarks attributed to Lincoln, 19th century political discourse
Legal systems cannot anticipate every future scenario; flexibility and interpretive judgment are essential for practical governance.
In simple terms: Laws can’t cover every case; judgment is needed.
Key Takeaway
Design laws with broad principles and allow adaptive interpretation.
Themes
law
governance
flexibility
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- drafting legislation
- judicial review
- regulatory compliance
- public administration
Key Concepts
legal theory
administrative discretion
policy making
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms ensure fairness when laws are interpreted flexibly?
- How can we balance predictability with adaptability in law?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on flexibility can lead to inconsistent rulings.
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