--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Written laws are formulas in which we…" description: "\"Written laws are formulas in which we endeavor to express as concisely as possible that which, under such or such determined circumstances, natural jus..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/702/victor-cousin-29751_circumstances_written-laws-are-formulas-in-which-we-en_277745.jpg" --- # Written laws are formulas in which we endeavor to express… ![“Written laws are formulas in which we endeavor to express as concisely as possible that which, under such or such determined circumstances, natural justice demands.” quote by Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/702/victor-cousin-29751_circumstances_written-laws-are-formulas-in-which-we-en_277745.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/702/victor-cousin-29751_circumstances_written-laws-are-formulas-in-which-we-en_277745.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/702/victor-cousin-29751_circumstances_written-laws-are-formulas-in-which-we-en_277745.jpg) > “Written laws are formulas in which we endeavor to express as concisely as possible that which, under such or such determined circumstances, natural justice demands.” [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Legal texts aim to concisely capture natural justice under varying circumstances, reflecting universal moral demands. **In simple terms:** Laws try to express fairness clearly for all situations. Key Takeaway Draft clear, concise laws that reflect justice. Themes law justice philosophy ethics Mood reflective instructive Type legal philosophical When to use this quote - legislative drafting - judicial review - human rights advocacy Key Concepts legal theory natural law jurisprudence Questions to Reflect On - How can laws balance brevity and nuance? - What examples show successful concise legal language? A Different Perspective Complexity of cases may resist concise formulation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Circumstances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances/) [Concisely Possible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concisely-possible-2701332/) [Demand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demand/) [Determined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determined/) [Endeavor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endeavor/) [Express Concisely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/express-concisely-2701333/) [Formulas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/formulas/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Justice Demands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice-demands-472842/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laws/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [Natural justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-justice/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Written](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/written/) [Written Laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/written-laws-1024745/) ## Related quotes > [The universal and absolute law is that natural justice which cannot be written down, but which appeals to the hearts of all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/the-universal-and-absolute-law-is-that-natural-justice-which-cannot/) [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) > [Written laws are like spiders' webs, and will, like them, only entangle and hold the poor and weak, while the rich and powerful will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anacharsis/written-laws-are-like-spiders-webs-and-will-like-them-only-entangle/) [Anacharsis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anacharsis/) > [Deep within the human constitution lie written laws of nature that should guide man in the conduct of his life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-m-shelton/deep-within-the-human-constitution-lie-written-laws-of-nature-that/) [Herbert M. Shelton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-m-shelton/) > [Certain laws have not been written, but they are more fixed than all the written laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/certain-laws-have-not-been-written-but-they-are-more-fixed-than-all/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the highest virtues of a good citizen, but it is not the highest.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-strict-observance-of-the-written-laws-is-doubtless-one-of-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high virtues of a good citizen, but it is not the highest.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-strict-observance-of-the-written-laws-is-doubtless-one-of-the-high/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Some laws, though unwritten, are more firmly established than all written laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/some-laws-though-unwritten-are-more-firmly-established-than-all/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Radical feminists have been making the pitch that justice demands that men and women be given an equal opportunity to make it to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-santorum/radical-feminists-have-been-making-the-pitch-that-justice-demands/) [Rick Santorum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-santorum/) > [No less characteristic in a democracy is social justice. This demands a solution to the frightening indexes of infant mortality, of malnutrition, lack of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rigoberta-menchu/no-less-characteristic-in-a-democracy-is-social-justice-this-demands/) [Rigoberta Menchu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rigoberta-menchu/) > [Justice therefore demands that no one should do more ruling than being ruled, but that all should have their turn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/justice-therefore-demands-that-no-one-should-do-more-ruling-than/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Swift justice demands more than just swiftness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/potter-stewart/swift-justice-demands-more-than-just-swiftness/) [Potter Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/potter-stewart/) > [Justice demands that the good and hard-working be rewarded and the evil and the lazy be punished (if only by the withholding of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-sayet/justice-demands-that-the-good-and-hard-working-be-rewarded-and-the/) [Evan Sayet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-sayet/) > [Justice demands integrity. It’s to have a moral universe — not only know what is right or wrong but to put things in perspective,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/justice-demands-integrity-it-s-to-have-a-moral-universe-not-only-know/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [A commitment to love and justice demands the transformation of social structures as well as of hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-hunt/a-commitment-to-love-and-justice-demands-the-transformation-of-social/) [Mary E. Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-hunt/) > [Absolute justice demands that mens incomes and rewards should ... vary, and that some have more than others-so long as human justice is upheld…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sayyid-qutb/absolute-justice-demands-that-mens-incomes-and-rewards-should-vary/) [Sayyid Qutb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sayyid-qutb/) ## More by Victor Cousin > [The universal and absolute law is that natural justice which cannot be written down, but which appeals to the hearts of all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/the-universal-and-absolute-law-is-that-natural-justice-which-cannot/) [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) > [In everything the ends well defined are the secret of durable success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/in-everything-the-ends-well-defined-are-the-secret-of-durable-success/) [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) > [All men have an equal right to the free development of their faculties; they have an equal right to the impartial protection of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/all-men-have-an-equal-right-to-the-free-development-of-their/) [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) > [All men have an equal right to the free development of their faculties ; they have an equal right to the impartial protection of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/all-men-have-an-equal-right-to-the-free-development-of-their-2/) [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) > [All men have an equal right to the free development of their faculties; they have an equal right to the impartial protection of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/all-men-have-an-equal-right-to-the-free-development-of-their-3/) [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) > [True philosophy invents nothing; it merely establishes and describes what is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/true-philosophy-invents-nothing-it-merely-establishes-and-describes/) [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) > [“If ignorance is bliss, there should be more happy people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/if-ignorance-is-bliss-there-should-be-more-happy-people/) [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) > [Ignorance is the primary source of all misery and vice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/ignorance-is-the-primary-source-of-all-misery-and-vice/) [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) > [We need religion for religions's sake, morality for morality's sake and art for art's sake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/we-need-religion-for-religions-s-sake-morality-for-morality-s-sake/) [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) > [Moral beauty is the basis of all true beauty. This foundation is somewhat covered and veiled in nature. Art brings it out, and gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/moral-beauty-is-the-basis-of-all-true-beauty-this-foundation-is/) [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) > [Yes, gentlemen, give me the map of any country, its configuration, its climate, its waters, its winds, and the whole of its physical geography;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/yes-gentlemen-give-me-the-map-of-any-country-its-configuration-its/) [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) > [When we read with attention the poetical and philosophical monuments of the East--above all, those of India, which are beginning to spread in Europe--we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/when-we-read-with-attention-the-poetical-and-philosophical-monuments/) [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) > [Art neither belongs to religion, nor to ethics; but, like these, it brings us nearer to the Infinite, one of the forms of which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/art-neither-belongs-to-religion-nor-to-ethics-but-like-these-it/) [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) > [The beautiful cannot be the way to what is useful, or to what is good, or to what is holy; it leads only to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/the-beautiful-cannot-be-the-way-to-what-is-useful-or-to-what-is-good/) [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) > [What is philosophy? It is something that lightens up, that makes bright.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/what-is-philosophy-it-is-something-that-lightens-up-that-makes-bright/) [Victor Cousin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) [Explore all 18 Victor Cousin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/) ## More Circumstances quotes > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [Jobs and money are never the primary cause of stress. Thinking, negative thinking causes stress. The real cause of all problems lie in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/jobs-and-money-are-never-the-primary-cause-of-stress-thinking/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Trust is about keeping commitments, but in many instances, circumstances change and organizations therefore shed commitments, things such as retiree medical benefits, pension obligations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/trust-is-about-keeping-commitments-but-in-many-instances/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found, at last, to be of our own producing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/the-fortunate-circumstances-of-our-lives-are-generally-found-at-last/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [“The set of circumstances that justifies the use of deadly force is a situation of immediate danger of death or great bodily harm to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/massad-ayoob/the-set-of-circumstances-that-justifies-the-use-of-deadly-force-is-a/) [Massad Ayoob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/massad-ayoob/) > [My sister-in-law works for a group that supports orphanages in Cairo. She and her colleagues take care of children left behind by circumstances beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/my-sister-in-law-works-for-a-group-that-supports-orphanages-in-cairo/) [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/) > [It's impossible to know who Donald might have been under different circumstances and with different parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-l-trump/it-s-impossible-to-know-who-donald-might-have-been-under-different/) [Mary L. Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-l-trump/) > [When we watch a play under the standard circumstances, we've lost volition and time is passing. A still play feels like an existential threat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-greenberg/when-we-watch-a-play-under-the-standard-circumstances-we-ve-lost/) [Richard Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-greenberg/) > [Being positive helps you to keep away negative thoughts. And helps you to stand in adverse circumstances with the hope that in the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/being-positive-helps-you-to-keep-away-negative-thoughts-and-helps-you/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [It seemed to me that the human beings I met reacted pretty much the same to the same stimuli. Different idioms,yes. Circumstances and conditions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/it-seemed-to-me-that-the-human-beings-i-met-reacted-pretty-much-the/) [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) > [I don't think you would have missed that putt, but in these circumstances, I would never give you the opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicklaus/i-don-t-think-you-would-have-missed-that-putt-but-in-these/) [Jack Nicklaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicklaus/) > [I used to think I could shape the circumstances around me, but now I know Jesus uses circumstances to shape me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circumstances-around-me-but-now-i/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Instead of complaining about your circumstances, get busy creating new ones. You either suffer the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-complaining-about-your-circumstances-get-busy-creating-new/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 4,560 Circumstances quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Written laws are formulas in which we endeavor to express as concisely as possible that which, under such or such determined circumstances, natural justice demands.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Victor Cousin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/written-laws-are-formulas-in-which-we-endeavor-to-express-as/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Circumstances" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/written-laws-are-formulas-in-which-we-endeavor-to-express-as/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/702/victor-cousin-29751_circumstances_written-laws-are-formulas-in-which-we-en_277745.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/702/victor-cousin-29751_circumstances_written-laws-are-formulas-in-which-we-en_277745.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/702/victor-cousin-29751_circumstances_written-laws-are-formulas-in-which-we-en_277745.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Written laws are formulas in which we endeavor to express as concisely as possible that which, under such or…” — Victor Cousin", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Victor Cousin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cousin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Written laws are formulas in which...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/written-laws-are-formulas-in-which-we-endeavor-to-express-as/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cousin/written-laws-are-formulas-in-which-we-endeavor-to-express-as/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```