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97. Changes in Law

1. Human laws are made by fallible man. They are thereforesubject to change as men gain more experience and are thus enabledto frame laws that more and more consistently serve the generalwelfare. Further, there may arise in a society conditions whichrequire new laws or alterations in existing laws.

2. Yet frequent or sudden changes in human laws are to beavoided. To serve its purpose, law requires a certain permanence; achange is, in itself, usually prejudicial to the general welfare.Therefore, unless the good to be achieved by change is great enoughto warrant the upheaval occasioned by the change itself, law is notto be altered.

3. Human reason which puts laws into words ofenactment may also express itself in deeds. And thuscustoms arise to serve the common good. Customs can cometo have the force of law itself. Indeed, it is possible for customto become so firmly and widely established that it supplantsexisting statute law. For the rest, custom is regularly thestandard by which existing law is interpreted.

4. It may be that a law which works generally for thecommon welfare is found, in certain cases, to inflict damage uponindividuals. The person in charge of the society concerned may, insuch instances, excuse the individuals from observing the law. Theauthoritative decree of excuse is called a dispensationfrom the law.

"Shun too great a desire for knowledge, for in it there is much fretting and delusion. Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be called wise. Yet there are many things the knowledge of which does little or no good to the soul, and he who concerns himself about other things than those which lead to salvation is very unwise. "
Thomas á Kempis

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"God gives us some things, as the beginning of faith, even when we do not pray. Other things, such as perseverance, he has only provided for those who pray."
St Augustine

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"Whoever wants to stand alone without the support of a master and guide will be like the tree that stands alone in a field without a proprietor. No matter how much the tree bears, passers-by will pick the fruit before it ripens. "
St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church

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