Principles prove; they are not proved.

Explanation

First principles are the axioms of the law — they are the starting points of reasoning, not the conclusions; they are accepted as self-evident and used to prove other propositions.

Where this applies

• You can't prove first principles — they're the axioms everything else is built on.
• Fundamental principles are self-evident starting points, not conclusions to be demonstrated.
• These are the foundations the system rests on — they prove other things.

See also

• 9.4.7 First principles prove; they are not proved.