Arise Quote by Diogenes Laertius
“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.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, c. 3rd century BC
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.
