Allan Kardec-THE Spirit's Book_ The Principles of Spiritist Doctrine (1989)

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ALLAN KARDEC
"If the laws of nature were properly understood, and if men were willing to practise them,
they would be sufficient. But society has its exigencies, and requires the co-operation of
special laws."
795. What is the cause of the instability of human laws?
"In times of barbarism the laws were made by the strongest, who framed them to their own
advantage. It has therefore become necessary to modify them, as men have acquired a clearer
comprehension of justice. Human laws will become more stable in proportion as they
approach the standard of true justice; that is to say, in proportion as they are made for all, and
become identified with natural law."
Civilisation has created for man new wants, and these wants are relative to the social state he has made
for himself. He has found It necessary to regulate by human laws the rights and duties appertaining to
this state but, influenced by his passions, he has often created rights and duties that are merely imaginary,
that are contrary to natural law, and that every nation effaces from its code in proportion as it
progresses. Natural law is immutable and the same for all; human law is variable and progressive; It
alone could consecrate, in the infancy of human societies, the right of the strongest.
796. Is not tile severity of penal legislation a necessity in the present state of society?
"A depraved state of society requires severe laws, but your laws, unhappily, aim rather at
punishing wrong doing when done, than at drying-up the fountain-head of wrong doing. It is
only education that can reform mankind; when that is done, you will no longer require laws of
the same severity."
797. How can the reform of human laws be brought about?
"It will be brought about by the force of things, and by the influence of the men of greater
advancement who lead the world onward in the path of progress. It has already reformed
many abuses, and it will reform many more. Wait!"
Influence of Spiritism on Progress.
798. Will Spiritism become the general belief, or will its acceptance remain confined to the
few?
"It will certainly become the general belief, and will mark a new era in the history of the
human race, because it belongs to the natural order of things, and because the time has come
for it to be ranked among the branches of human knowledge. It will nevertheless have to
withstand a good many violent attacks-attacks that will be prompted rather by interest than by
conviction, for