Why do we say "Live and let live"?

Meaning:

Run your own life the way you want to, and let others do the same; be tolerant of differences.

Background:

This proverb is of Dutch origin, and is first recorded in The Ancient Law Merchant compiled by G. De Malynes and others, and published in 1622. It was later included in a book of English proverbs collected by John Ray in 1678.

The Law Merchant or lex mercatoria, was a system of law developed by medieval merchants to regulate commerce throughout the known world of Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor. The laws had their roots in the days before nation states existed, and were based on the premise that laws should evolve from the commercial practices themselves, and that merchants, not local rulers, were the best source for creating and policing the laws.

Much of today's commercial law is still based on the basic premises laid down by the Law Merchants.

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