It is not with the intention of treating with contempt the acts of others, as We have previously stated, nor because We are actuated by the desire to obtain greater glory, that We devote Our attention to the amendment of the laws; but in order that We may abolish what is not advantageous to Our subjects, as far as this can be done, being aware that a just system of laws is the greatest essential of a good administration, for he who declared that the laws are the eyes of government, in my opinion, gave utterance to a statement which was in no wise improper. For as it is absolutely necessary for an animal to have eyes which are steady, so legislation must be just and equitable. Therefore, bearing this in mind, and knowing that there was a law in the Code which is so absurd that it has never been accepted by the minds of men, but has no force or effect, as it is opposed to the natural equality which should be displayed by parents with regard to their children, authorizing them to be unjust to some of them, and enabling them to be guilty of fraud and bad faith in case they wish to do so; and, as I have stated, being aware that there is a law of this kind, although it was not observed even before Our sanction was accorded it, We, nevertheless, are of the opinion that it is Our duty to repeal its authority and use by means of a decree. But what does it say? It provides that a father, when he gives his son in marriage, and promises to make him the heir to his estate at his death, on the same footing with his brothers, and leave him a share of the other equal to that of each of them, can not break this promise even if he desires to do so, and give more to his other children than to him. But as this law is never observed anywhere in the Empire, We hereby repeal it absolutely, and decree that a father can not change the promise that he made to his son when he was married, to give him a share of his estate equal to that of each of his other children. Every provision made by him which would have a tendency to violate his promise, and diminish the share aforesaid, shall be considered void, and of no effect; and his son shall, in every instance, succeed to the estate on the same footing with his brothers, in accordance with the terms of the contract. For, under no circumstances, shall falsehood be preferred to truth, nor is it just or consonant with reason for an agreement to be wickedly disregarded. But, on the other hand, it is far more worthy of a father to keep his word, unless, substituting falsehood for truth and acting in an irrational manner, he wishes to deprive those things which are founded upon reason of their principal attribute. Again, it is not right for a parent not to manifest the same affection for all the children born to him, and not make provision for their lives in an equitable manner, but to bestow a larger share upon some than upon others, without showing due consideration for the latter, although he knows that they will hereafter live in want. But it is proper that all his children should be justly provided for by receiving an equal distribution of his estate, and not that more should be given to some than to others, in accordance with the degree of affection with which he may regard them.