Chesterton's fence
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Don't change an established practice until its purpose is understood
In context
Some laws defy easy categorization but still capture the same spirit: when something can go wrong, it will. This collection spans everyday life and odd corners of experience.
Editorial note
An old rule may encode constraints that are no longer obvious. Understand the original purpose before removing it.
Practical example: Before deleting a validation check, inspect the incident or requirement that caused it to be added.
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- Murphy's Miscellaneous Laws Read more laws in this category.
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