“Laws are made for men of ordinary understanding and should, therefore, be construed by the ordinary rules of common sense. Their meaning is not to be sought for in metaphysical subtleties which may make anything mean everything or nothing at pleasure.”
— Thomas Jefferson
The Draconian Lawgiver Who Was Killed By His Popularity
Draco, a 7th-century BC Athenian legislator, is known for establishing written laws that improved legal clarity despite their harshness, leading to the term “draconian.” Ironically popular, he was suffocated by gifts from admirers, demonstrating the paradox of his legacy as both a feared lawmaker and a beloved figure in Athenian society.
It is Illegal to Sell Infants in Pennsylvania
The Commonplace Fun Facts Legal Department tells us that laws are supposed to be reasonable. Apparently, this concept doesn’t apply to legal advice, however. That one sentence generated a bill for $362.11. If, by “reasonable,” that means that laws should encourage desired behavior, that’s one thing. If it refers to the severity of punishment for…
It Is Illegal to Wear a Suit of Armor in Parliament
Find out why it is illegal to wear a suit of armor in Parliament.
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