The cause and origin is the substance of the thing.

Explanation

To understand a transaction, look to its origin — the root cause reveals the true nature of the matter.

Where this applies

• To understand this transaction you need to look at how and why it started.
• The origin of the deal reveals its true nature.
• The root cause tells you more than the surface events.

See also

• 12.2.1 The cause of a cause is the cause of the thing caused.
• 12.2.5 Things are construed according to what was the cause of them.