By law is meant an order of reason, for the common good, made and promulgated by one in authority (XC. 1-4).
An order then contrary to reason could not be a law?
No, an order or a commandment contrary to reason can never be a law; it is an act of despotism or of tyranny (XC. 1, ad 3).
What is meant by saying that law is an order of reason ordained to the common good?
This means that a law provides first of all for the good of the whole community, and does not concern itself with a part thereof or of the individual, except in so far as a part or an individual concurs in the general good (XC. 2).
From what authority does law emanate?
It emanates from him upon whom it is incumbent to be mindful of the common good as if it were his own private good (XC. 3).
For a law to bind, is it necessary that it be promulgated and known?
Yes, for a law to bind it is necessary that it be promulgated in such a way that it come to the knowledge of those whom it concerns (XC. 4).
And if, through one's own fault, one is ignorant of the law, is one excused for not obeying the law?
No; if, through one's own fault, one is ignorant of the law, one is not excused from obeying the law.
It is then very important to learn fully the laws that concern us?
Yes, it is very important to study the laws that concern us.
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