Full Idea
Natural law is law which is so congruent with the rational and social nature of man that there cannot be a good and peaceful society for the human race without it. Hence it can be known …by reflection on human nature in general.
Gist of Idea
Natural law fits human nature so closely that a society cannot flourish without it
Source
Samuel Pufendorf (On the Duty of Man and Citizen [1673], I.02)
A Reaction
'Nonsense on stilts' says Bentham! My view is closer to Pufendorf. If law is merely the creation of rulers, what guidance could that have other than human nature, if a flourishing society is the aim? Only imperialism or pyramids would need otherwise.
Book Reference
Pufendorf,Samuel: 'On the Duty of Man and Citizen' [CUP 1991], p.32