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“Letter of the law” means following laws strictly, while “spirit of the law” means interpreting laws practically. Both are English idioms used to add color to conversations. The former implies no room for leniency, while the latter is a more liberal interpretation. Conflicting attitudes towards laws are at the heart of the differences.
Following the “letter of the law” means following the rules – especially the laws – to perfection, leaving no room for leverage. This is different from following the “spirit of the law,” which means that someone is taking the law and interpreting it for practical purposes. “Letter of the law” is an English idiom meaning that someone is abiding by the laws as strictly as possible. In most cases, this is rarely done, since there are so many laws in society with extremely fine detail and qualifications that it would be nearly impossible to do it on a broad basis.
When someone says a word or a small phrase in the English language that has an accepted meaning other than the literal definitions of the words themselves, they are using an idiom. An idiom usually originates from a specific circumstance but evolves so that it can be used in different situations. These idioms provide speakers with a way to add color and impact to their conversations with others. One such idiom that refers to a strict interpretation of a rule or law is the phrase “letter of the law.”
This phrase generally implies that a law is being followed with no room for free or lenient interpretation. It can refer to a person who must comply with the laws or who administers them. Accordingly, he considers the sentence: “In this case I really did comply with the letter of the law, which is why the punishment is so severe.”
The opposite of this idiom is the phrase “spirit of the law.” He who follows the “spirit of the law” essentially abides by the law in question, even though he may not follow it completely with the greatest fidelity. It is a more liberal interpretation of a law and is often used when some laws have become a bit outdated. For example, someone might say, “The letter of the law says he has to pay damages, but that judge is likely to follow the spirit of the law and drop it.”
Conflicting attitudes towards the laws are at the heart of the differences between these two sentences. Following the “letter of the law” means there is no room for discussion. Those who follow the “spirit of the law” are much more likely to be lenient.
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