--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the ideal State laws are few and…" description: "\"In the ideal State laws are few and simple, because they have been derived from certainties. In the corrupt State laws are many and confused, because t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/solon-10247_certainty_in-the-ideal-state-laws-are-few-and-simp_2842150.jpg" --- # In the ideal State laws are few and simple, because they… ![“In the ideal State laws are few and simple, because they have been derived from certainties. In the corrupt State laws are many and confused, because they have been derived from uncertainties.” quote by Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/solon-10247_certainty_in-the-ideal-state-laws-are-few-and-simp_2842150.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/solon-10247_certainty_in-the-ideal-state-laws-are-few-and-simp_2842150.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c6b/solon-10247_certainty_in-the-ideal-state-laws-are-few-and-simp_2842150.jpg) > “In the ideal State laws are few and simple, because they have been derived from certainties. In the corrupt State laws are many and confused, because they have been derived from uncertainties.” [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A well‑ordered society needs clear, few laws based on certainty; corruption breeds many confusing rules from doubt. **In simple terms:** Simple laws from certainty; complex laws from doubt. Key Takeaway Seek clarity and certainty in lawmaking. Themes law order certainty corruption simplicity Mood reflective critical thoughtful Type philosophical political When to use this quote - government drafting - policy reform - education on civic duty Key Concepts political philosophy legal theory Questions to Reflect On - How can societies ensure laws remain simple? - What certainties should underpin modern law? A Different Perspective Complexity can arise even with good intentions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Certainty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certainty/) [Ideals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideals/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Uncertainty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncertainty/) ## Related quotes > [“In the ideal state, laws are few and simple. In the corrupt state, they are many and confused.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-adam-snyder/in-the-ideal-state-laws-are-few-and-simple-in-the-corrupt-state-they/) [J.Adam Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-adam-snyder/) > [The more corrupt the state, the more laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publius-cornelius-tacitus/the-more-corrupt-the-state-the-more-laws/) [Publius Cornelius Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publius-cornelius-tacitus/) > [Jefferson, Madison and many others taught that complex laws and codes were sure signs of oppression. They agreed with Montesquieu, Lock and Hume and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-demille/jefferson-madison-and-many-others-taught-that-complex-laws-and-codes/) [Oliver DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-demille/) > [The laws are very simple: thought is creative; fear attracts like energy; love is all there is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/the-laws-are-very-simple-thought-is-creative-fear-attracts-like/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [Phenomena complex-laws simple…Know what to leave out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/phenomena-complex-laws-simple-know-what-to-leave-out/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [Acts and laws are for people. People are not for Acts and laws. Acts and laws should be simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uddhav-thackeray/acts-and-laws-are-for-people-people-are-not-for-acts-and-laws-acts/) [Uddhav Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uddhav-thackeray/) > [Privatisation is presented as being the only alternative to an inefficient, corrupt state. In fact, it is not a choice at all... it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/privatisation-is-presented-as-being-the-only-alternative-to-an/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [They who assert the purest right, and consequently are most dangerous to a corrupt State, commonly have not spent much time accumulating property. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/they-who-assert-the-purest-right-and-consequently-are-most-dangerous/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/the-more-corrupt-the-state-the-more-numerous-the-laws/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [In New York, politics is a crime scene from the very beginning. We have the most corrupt state government in the United States.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-caputo/in-new-york-politics-is-a-crime-scene-from-the-very-beginning-we-have/) [Michael Caputo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-caputo/) > [While 45 of the 50 States have either a State constitutional amendment or a statute that preserves the current definition of marriage, left-wing activist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boehner/while-45-of-the-50-states-have-either-a-state-constitutional/) [John Boehner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boehner/) > [The state is therefore everyone; the rules within the state are laws which safeguard the welfare of all and which must originate from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-b-chner/the-state-is-therefore-everyone-the-rules-within-the-state-are-laws/) [Georg Buchner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-b-chner/) > [A lot of industry groups have said they support a federal law. They don't want to have to deal with 50 different state laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jackson/a-lot-of-industry-groups-have-said-they-support-a-federal-law-they/) [William Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jackson/) > [“in a constitutionally ordered state, where laws are derived from broad principles of right and wrong and where those principles are enshrined and protected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-judt/in-a-constitutionally-ordered-state-where-laws-are-derived-from-broad/) [Tony Judt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-judt/) > [Usually state laws refer to touching intimate parts, it can be breasts or buttocks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megyn-kelly/usually-state-laws-refer-to-touching-intimate-parts-it-can-be-breasts/) [Megyn Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megyn-kelly/) ## More by Solon > [Society is well governed when the people obey the magistrates, and the magistrates obey the law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/society-is-well-governed-when-the-people-obey-the-magistrates-and-the/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [To make an empire durable, the magistrates must obey the laws and the people the magistrates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/to-make-an-empire-durable-the-magistrates-must-obey-the-laws-and-the/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [“Reprove thy friend privately: commend him publicly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/reprove-thy-friend-privately-commend-him-publicly/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [Call no man happy until he is dead, but only lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/call-no-man-happy-until-he-is-dead-but-only-lucky/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [No man is happy; he is at best fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/no-man-is-happy-he-is-at-best-fortunate/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [If through your vices you afflicted are, Lay not the blame of your distress on God; You made your rulers mighty, gave them guards,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/if-through-your-vices-you-afflicted-are-lay-not-the-blame-of-your/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [In giving advice seek to help, not to please, your friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/in-giving-advice-seek-to-help-not-to-please-your-friend/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [Reprove your friend privately, commend him publicly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/reprove-your-friend-privately-commend-him-publicly/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [No one can be said to be happy until he is dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/no-one-can-be-said-to-be-happy-until-he-is-dead/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [No more good must be attempted than the nation can bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/no-more-good-must-be-attempted-than-the-nation-can-bear/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [“The New Dimension is peaceful, and all work here just as they do on Earth. It’s a place where learning, knowledge and wisdom are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/the-new-dimension-is-peaceful-and-all-work-here-just-as-they-do-on/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [ Know thyself. \[Lat., Ne quis nimis. (From the Greek)\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/know-thyself-lat-ne-quis-nimis-from-the-greek/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [Satiety comes of riches and contumaciousness of satiety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/satiety-comes-of-riches-and-contumaciousness-of-satiety/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [Wealth I desire to have; but wrongfully to get it, I do not wish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/wealth-i-desire-to-have-but-wrongfully-to-get-it-i-do-not-wish/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [If all men were to bring their miseries together in one place, most would be glad to take each his own home again rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/if-all-men-were-to-bring-their-miseries-together-in-one-place-most/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) [Explore all 66 Solon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) ## More Certainty quotes > [A common fallacy in much of the adverse criticism to which science is subjected today is that it claims certainty, infallibility and complete emotional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/a-common-fallacy-in-much-of-the-adverse-criticism-to-which-science-is/) [Cyril Norman Hinshelwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/) > [Sometimes we have the absolute certainty there's something inside us that's so hideous and monstrous that if we ever search it out we won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/sometimes-we-have-the-absolute-certainty-there-s-something-inside-us/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [The past and the future become unimportant. There is only that moment, and the incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/the-past-and-the-future-become-unimportant-there-is-only-that-moment/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [In the mental disturbance and effort of writing, what sustains you is the certainty that on every page there is something left unsaid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesare-pavese/in-the-mental-disturbance-and-effort-of-writing-what-sustains-you-is/) [Cesare Pavese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesare-pavese/) > [Of course I doubt. I do not practice a certainty. I practice a faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/of-course-i-doubt-i-do-not-practice-a-certainty-i-practice-a-faith/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [The world is a wonderfully weird place, consensual reality is significantly flawed, no institution can be trusted, certainty is a mirage, security a delusion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-world-is-a-wonderfully-weird-place-consensual-reality-is/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [As a businessman, I know that businesses need certainty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-foster/as-a-businessman-i-know-that-businesses-need-certainty/) [Bill Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-foster/) > [It is suggested that in domestic violence at least the presence or absence of a firearm, or of any other type of weapon, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-greenwood/it-is-suggested-that-in-domestic-violence-at-least-the-presence-or/) [Colin Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-greenwood/) > [Every single person who is a member of our party deserves to have certainty. They deserve to know that my attention and focus is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annamie-paul/every-single-person-who-is-a-member-of-our-party-deserves-to-have/) [Annamie Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annamie-paul/) > [The significance and volume of repairs that are needed across the country demand that we give state and local governments the long-term certainty they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-graves/the-significance-and-volume-of-repairs-that-are-needed-across-the/) [Sam Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-graves/) > [“Death is the one great certainty in life. That’s what my dad used to say. Nothing else is certain. Not love. Not happiness. Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mila-gray/death-is-the-one-great-certainty-in-life-that-s-what-my-dad-used-to/) [Mila Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mila-gray/) > [ \[I\]f in other sciences we should arrive at certainty without doubt and truth without error, it behooves us to place the foundations of knowledge… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-bacon/i-f-in-other-sciences-we-should-arrive-at-certainty-without-doubt-and/) [Roger Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-bacon/) > [Do not lose hope; St. Joseph also experienced moments of difficulty, but he never lost faith and was able to overcome them, in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/do-not-lose-hope-st-joseph-also-experienced-moments-of-difficulty-but/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [As the future is never known with certainty, the evaluation of the prospective benefits requires the formation of expectations. An acceptable house, partner or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-t-mortensen/as-the-future-is-never-known-with-certainty-the-evaluation-of-the/) [Dale T. Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-t-mortensen/) > [Finding someone that trusted my vision helped me find certainty in who I was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd/finding-someone-that-trusted-my-vision-helped-me-find-certainty-in/) [Syd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd/) [Browse all 1,776 Certainty quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certainty/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In the ideal State laws are few and simple, because they have been derived from certainties. 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