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
