Consequence Quote by William Henry Maule
“In the eye of the law no doubt, man and wife are for many purposes one: but that is a strong figurative expression, and cannot be so dealt with as that all the consequences must follow which would result from its being literally true.”
About This Quote
Source Legal treatise, 19th century commentary
Legal metaphors about marriage are figurative, not literal; they shouldn’t dictate all consequences.
In simple terms: Marriage analogies are symbolic, not literal law.
Key Takeaway
Interpret legal language figuratively.
Themes
law
marriage
figurative language
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- courtroom
- family law
- policy drafting
Key Concepts
legal interpretation
social contracts
Questions to Reflect On
- When might a figurative legal term cause confusion?
- How to balance metaphor with legal clarity?
A Different Perspective
Literal readings can mislead.
