A privilege is, as it were, a private law.

Explanation

Privileges create exceptions to general law for specific persons — and because they are exceptions, they are to be construed strictly, never expanded beyond their terms.

Where this applies

• A tax exemption for certain businesses is essentially a private law that benefits only a few.
• A government-issued license creates special rules that apply only to the licensee.

See also

• 2.1.1 The law makes the government, not the government the law.
• 6.6.1 A privilege is a personal benefit and dies with the person.