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It may not be doubted that the very conception of a just government and its duty to the citizen includes the reciprocal obligation of the citizen to render military service in case of need, and the right to compel it. Vattel, Law of Nations, book III, cc. 1 and 2. To do more than state the proposition is absolutely unnecessary in view of the practical illustration afforded by the almost universal legislation to that effect now in force
— 1910s case in Supreme Court
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "It may not be doubted that the very conception of a just government and its duty to the citizen includes the reciprocal obligation of the citizen to render military service in case of need, and the right to compel it. Vattel, Law of Nations, book III, cc. 1 and 2. To do more than state the proposition is absolutely unnecessary in view of the practical illustration afforded by the almost universal legislation to that effect now in force" in the context of "1910s case in Supreme Court" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Emer de Vattel" (About)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
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About Emer de Vattel
Emer de Vattel (25 April 1714 – 28 December 1767) was an international lawyer whose works influenced Benjamin Franklin and other founding fathers when creating the United States Constitution.
About Emer de Vattel
Emer de Vattel (25 April 1714 – 28 December 1767) was an international lawyer whose works influenced Benjamin Franklin and other founding fathers when creating the United States Constitution.
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