--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The law is more easily understood by few…" description: "\"The law is more easily understood by few than many words. For all words are subject to ambiguity, and therefore multiplication of words in the body of ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acb/thomas-hobbes-1127_ambiguity_the-law-is-more-easily-understood-by-few_1512359.jpg" --- # The law is more easily understood by few than many words… ![“The law is more easily understood by few than many words. For all words are subject to ambiguity, and therefore multiplication of words in the body of the law is multiplication of ambiguity. Besides, it seems to imply (by too much diligence) that whosoever can evade the words is without the…” quote by Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acb/thomas-hobbes-1127_ambiguity_the-law-is-more-easily-understood-by-few_1512359.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acb/thomas-hobbes-1127_ambiguity_the-law-is-more-easily-understood-by-few_1512359.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/acb/thomas-hobbes-1127_ambiguity_the-law-is-more-easily-understood-by-few_1512359.jpg) > “The law is more easily understood by few than many words. For all words are subject to ambiguity, and therefore multiplication of words in the body of the law is multiplication of ambiguity. Besides, it seems to imply (by too much diligence) that whosoever can evade the words is without the compass of the law.” [Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hobbes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Legal language becomes more ambiguous with length; brevity reduces misinterpretation, but may also limit nuance. **In simple terms:** Long laws are confusing; short laws are clearer. Key Takeaway Prefer concise, clear legal drafting. Themes law communication clarity Mood analytical cautious Type explanatory critical When to use this quote - contract drafting - legislation - policy making Key Concepts jurisprudence semantics precision Questions to Reflect On - When does brevity harm legal meaning? - How to balance clarity and completeness? A Different Perspective Over‑simplification can omit essential details. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambiguity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambiguity/) [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Compass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compass/) [Diligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diligence/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) ## Related quotes > [“Anyone who writes a law that cannot be easily understood by an average citizen is not worthy of leadership. 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Northcote Parkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-northcote-parkinson/) > [It cannot but happen?that those will survive whose functions happen to be most nearly in equilibrium with the modified aggregate of external forces? This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/it-cannot-but-happen-that-those-will-survive-whose-functions-happen/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [It is the multiplication of men who are exluded from working which provokes war. 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