The greater number contains in itself the less also.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) A grant or power that encompasses the greater necessarily includes the lesser — one who may convey the whole may convey a part, and one authorized to do the major act may do the minor.

Where this applies

• A landowner who has the power to sell an entire parcel of land necessarily has the power to sell a portion of it, because the greater power includes the lesser.
• A parent with full legal authority over a child's education has the power to make individual curriculum choices, since the authority over the whole encompasses authority over each part.
• A legislature that has the power to repeal an entire statute certainly has the power to amend a single section of it, because the greater contains the less.