Awhile back, while clarifying the notion that perception is reality (the reality is, it isn't, but it is a real perception) I mentioned the phrase "The exception proves the rule," as another often-repeated concept that isn't. Really a concept, that is. In response, Robert Bromberek -- one of my more erudite correspondents -- provided this, which seemed to be well worth sharing: "Just to prove that I am Awhile back, while clarifying the notion that perception is reality (the reality is, it isn’t, but it is a real perception) I mentioned the phrase “The exception proves the rule,” as another often-repeated concept that isn’t. Really a concept, that is. In response, Robert Bromberek — one of my more erudite correspondents — provided this, which seemed to be well worth sharing:“Just to prove that I am truly a pain in the butt and probably obsessive compulsive:“The exception proves the rule. “Two meanings for the word prove — to test, thus to probe; to test and demonstrate, thus to verify. This the most common usage today, which makes the whole thing sound goofy.“Based on the medieval Latin though falsely attributed to an earlier time, it was a translation from the Greek by either Duns Scotus or William of Occam — it’s been claimed for both. And may have been by someone else.“Exceptio probat regulam (there are other variations as well). Two meanings for the word probat (by an amazing co-incidence): To test, thus to probe. To test and approve, thus to validate. “You’ll find that last usage still in use today in the German toast ‘Bibat, Probat!’ Drink up, it’s good stuff!’ Which occasionally comes out as ‘Vivat, Probat!’ Live it up, it’s good stuff!“Thus the medieval Latin is kind of chancy as well.“The original Greek is by Heraclitus, about 1500 years earlier, and earlier than the Romans spoke Classical Latin (they were still messing with Archaic Latin): Kamatos esti tois autois mochthein kai archesthai. “Kamatos is effort over a long period which eventually produces results. Mochthein is failure and the distress from long effort leading to failure. Archesthai is original direction, power, rule and leadership. The grammar of the endings and the connecting words means, ‘Any rule, though valid, in the long run has the occasional exception.’“It doesn’t mean that the exception bounds the rule or delineates it, but rather that any rule, even though perfect, has necessary exceptions that illuminate it and are part of it.“Put that in three words of epigraphic Latin! And someone did! “Thus ‘The exception tests the rule,’ is correct. And “The exception validates the rule,’ is correct.“Cool!” ——– Technology Industry