3 ms·
"Exception that proves the rule" requires the example to be notable specifically because the example violates the rule. In this case, the East India Company is
by rcme 3y ago
"Exception that proves the rule" requires the example to be notable specifically because the example violates the rule. In this case, the East India Company is not notable because it was long-lived.
- foolswisdom 3y agoI understood the point to be that they were exceptional because they were arms of governments.
- retrocryptid 3y agoI think they were extensions of the state, not the government.
- pclmulqdq 3y agoIt certainly is notable for its longevity, outliving most of today's companies. And there is a good reason for that longevity: its special arrangement with the crown.
- jpmoral 3y agoYes, and the rule parent initially stated was "Pretty much all businesses used to be basically ephemeral until about 150 years ago".