In true letter and spirit

[Tom]

Hi

Is it some idiom?

In true letter and spirit.

1-you should all work In true letter and spirit.

What does it mean? My dictionary does not have it.

Oops! Amy, again I wrote the question without googling it first--forgive me this time!

Tom

[Alan]

Hi Tom,

I think we need to break this expression up into two. We talk of something being done to the letter of the law meaning lawful and correct according to what is actually written in the law itself. In the spirit of ther law refers to something being done legally as the law should be interpreted - in other words the meaning/intention behind the law rather than the actual written document.

Alan
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