APAD: More honored in the breach than in the observance

Meaning:

   This is usually thought to mean a rule which is more often broken than

   observed. The context of the play shows the real meaning as `it is more

   honourable to breach than to observe'.

 

Background:

   From Shakespeare's Hamlet, 1602:

 

     HAMLET Ay, marry, is't:

     But to my mind, though I am native here

     And to the manner born, it is a custom

     More honour'd in the breach than the observance.

 

- www.phrases.org.uk [edited]

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Despite of their antisocial bent, contrarians such as Hamlet the suspected

misogynist are often celebrated for their courage alone. Unheard of in the old

country, ferocious animales* and jailed butchers of men collect fan mails and

love letters in America. Many, for example, seemed to think the recent killing

of a CEO justified and maybe even have more honored law and order in their breach.

 

* animale is "獸性男人" according to a previous post

https://bbs.wenxuecity.com/mysj/294122.html