Letter and spirit of the law

Common card · No. 260367

The letter of the law and the spirit of the law are two ways of interpreting rules or laws. To obey the "letter of the law" is to follow the literal reading of the words of the law, whereas following the "spirit of the law" is to follow the intention behind why the law was enacted. Although both are usually followed, the letter and the spirit are commonly discussed when they are in opposition. "Law" originally referred to legislative statutes, but in the idiom it may refer to any kind of rule. Intentionally following the letter of the law but not the spirit can involve exploiting technicalities, loopholes, and ambiguous language.

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