What does it mean to follow the letter of the law but not the spirit of the law?

When one obeys the letter of the law but not the spirit, one is obeying the literal interpretation of the words (the “letter”) of the law, but not necessarily the intent of those who wrote the law. “Law” originally referred to legislative statute, but in the idiom may refer to any kind of rule.

What is the meaning of in letter and spirit?

The “in spirit & letter” idiom means that people should completely follow the rules in place. “in letter” means follow the rules literally. “in spirit” means follow the intentions of the rules, even if they are not explicitly stated.

What is the letter of a law?

Definition of the letter of the law : exactly what the law says They seem to be more concerned with obeying the letter of the law than with understanding the spirit of the law.

What is an example of the spirit of the law?

The spirit of the law is the intention behind the law. The letter of the law is its literal meaning. Example: there is a law in England against soliciting in the street. To circumvent this, some enterprising prostitutes took to soliciting from balconies instead.

What is the meaning of love is the fulfillment of the law?

Love, then, is not about an emotional disposition; it is about acting in a certain way toward others—a way that is consistent with the commandments laid out in the Law. Love, then, fulfills the covenant obligations that God has given his children, or as Paul and Jesus said it, “the Law.”

What is the meaning of spirit of the law?

Definition of the spirit of the law : the aim or purpose of a law when it was written They seem to be more concerned with obeying the letter of the law than with understanding the spirit of the law.

How do you use the word letter and spirit?

It’s well past time that people follow both the letter and spirit of the law. “The judge’s decision to deny a recount is wrong on the letter and spirit of the law,” Mr. Shafran said. We are committed to the Security Council goals, letter and spirit according to what the resolution determines.

What is meant by the spirit of the law?

Who wrote the spirit of the laws?

Montesquieu
The Spirit of the Laws/Authors

French political philosopher Montesquieu was best known for The Spirit of Laws (1748), one of the great works in the history of political theory and of jurisprudence.

What was the main idea of the spirit of laws?

The Spirit of the Laws In it, Montesquieu pleaded in favor of a constitutional system of government and the separation of powers, the ending of slavery, the preservation of civil liberties and the law, and the idea that political institutions ought to reflect the social and geographical aspects of each community.