A Precedent Embalms a Principle

"A precedent embalms a principle." -Benjamin Disraeli, Speech in the House of Commons (February 22nd,  1848)

There are many spoken ideals that are spread through religious texts, inspirational speakers, and facebook posts. Yet there are not so many examples of these ideals being put into practice.

In many cases, no one has successfully lived up to an ideal or principle and so it remains as a spoken aspiration with no real-life implementation. In such a case, someone must be the first to fulfill the principle in action, and this is called 'setting a precedent'.

Setting a precedent is challenging because you walk an untrodden path with no guidelines or past experience to give you confidence. Yet without it, the great teachings and principles we cherish will be nothing more than dust in the wind.

And when you have set the precedent, you can offer that living example for others to follow and support them.

Olympic Coast, WA - Feb. 27, 2013