"A principle requires interpretation before it can be applied."

Take the principle:

Freedom of speech should be protected.

Everyone agrees on the sentence.

Now ask:

Does freedom of speech protect

• criticism of government?
• false advertising?
• defamation?
• threats?
• military secrets?

The principle itself does not answer.

Judges interpret

what "freedom of speech"

means.

Only then can they apply it.

Exactly the same happens with

equality,

justice,

property,

human dignity,

or stewardship.