9th September 2010

St. Augustine’s Law to End All Laws

St. Augustine

Necessity knows no law.

The thought seems to be proverbial. Prior to St. Augustine (354-430) it was expressed by Publilius Syrus (ca. 85-43 B.C.) one of whose maxims was “Necessity knows no law but to prevail.”

Later on - much later on as it happens - Oliver Cromwell said in a 1654 speech to Parliament: “Necessity hath no law. Feigned necessities imaginary necessities . . . are the greatest cozenage [i.e. frauds deceptions] that men can put upon the Providence of God and make pretenses to break known rules by.”


Discussion of St. Augustine’s Law to End All Laws

Post your comment here



Submit a new law     (guidelines)






Verify

I agree to the submission terms *

Subscribe via email