Greater Quote by Attila the Hun
“Chieftains must understand that the spirit of the law is greater than its letter.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Historical accounts of Attila, 5th century CE
The underlying purpose of a law matters more than its literal wording.
In simple terms: Spirit of law outweighs literal text.
Focus on intent, not just wording.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legal drafting
- policy making
- conflict resolution
- negotiations
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure you grasp a law’s purpose?
- When might strict literalism be necessary?
Literal reading can miss nuance and flexibility.