From jfsiege@ilstu.edu Mon Jul 30 10:49:55 2001
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From: "Janice Siegel" <jfsiege@ilstu.edu>
To: <classics@u.washington.edu>
Subject: natura non facit saltus
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 13:04:56 -0400
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Dear All: Can anyone help my colleague with her query? The context baffles
me. Thanks.

>>In my research on separation and divorce laws in 18th-century France, I
encountered a Latin phrase that I wasn't sure how to translate. I was hoping
you could help me. Here it is in context:

"La Révolution qui dans de si nombreux domaines a été une créatrice si
fertile justifie pleinement dans celui-ci [le domaine du statut des femmes],
chargé de traditions millénaires, la vieille maxime 'natura non facit
saltus.'" (496)

In this context, does "natura non facit saltus" mean that (human)  nature
resists change, that it progresses slowly?>>

Thanks, Janice


Janice Siegel
Assistant Professor of Classics
Illinois State University
Department of Foreign Languages
Box 4300
Normal, Illinois 61790-4300

phone: 309-438-3583
fax: 309-438-8038
jfsiege@ilstu.edu
http://www.drjclassics.com

.