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Our human laws are but the copies, more or less imperfect, of the eternal laws, so far as we can read them.
James Anthony Froude
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Human laws attempt to reflect universal truths but are inherently flawed.

This quote suggests that the laws created by humans are mere approximations of the deeper, eternal laws that govern the universe. It implies that while we strive to establish justice and order through our laws, they are imperfect reflections of a higher moral truth that we can only partially understand.

Themes

LawsEternalHumanJusticeUniversalTruth

In practice

Example use cases

In a philosophical debate about the nature of justice.

More from James Anthony Froude

Wild animals never kill for sport. Man is the only one to whom the torture and death of his fellow creatures is amusing in itself.
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If you think you can temper yourself into manliness by sitting here over your books, it is the very silliest fancy that ever tempted a young man to his ruin. You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.
James Anthony FroudeRead

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