Meaning: This quote by Ben Okri, a Nigerian poet, succinctly captures the tension between the established order and the unknown, between the codified and the mysterious. Okri suggests that those in positions of power and authority often seek to maintain control by limiting the scope of what is considered acceptable or lawful. The "acknowledged legislators of the world" refer to those who hold sway over the creation and enforcement of laws, regulations, and societal norms. These individuals tend to view the world as a fixed entity, one that can be neatly organized and regulated.

The idea that these legislators "take the world as given" implies a certain complacency or acceptance of the status quo. There is a reluctance to engage with the unknown or the enigmatic, as these elements do not easily fit within the existing framework of laws and regulations. Mysteries, according to Okri, are inherently resistant to being codified or legislated. They defy categorization and resist the imposition of order. As such, those in power may view mysteries as threatening to their authority, as they cannot be easily controlled or understood within the confines of existing laws.

The notion that "wonder cannot be made into law" speaks to the inherent limitations of legislation and regulation. Wonder, in this context, represents the boundless and ineffable aspects of human experience that cannot be contained within legal statutes. Okri suggests that attempts to regulate and control every aspect of life ultimately fall short, as there are elements of existence that transcend the reach of laws and regulations.

The phrase "these legislators police the accepted frontiers of things" further underscores the idea of maintaining boundaries and limitations. Those in power are depicted as guardians of the established order, seeking to uphold and enforce the existing frontiers of what is deemed acceptable and lawful. This policing of boundaries serves to reinforce the status quo and inhibit the exploration of new possibilities or the embrace of the unknown.

Okri's quote can be interpreted as a critique of the tendency of those in power to resist change and to cling to familiar structures of control. It highlights the tension between the desire for order and the inevitability of the unknown. By emphasizing the limitations of legislation and the resistance of mysteries to being codified, Okri challenges the notion that everything can be neatly regulated and controlled.

In conclusion, Ben Okri's quote encapsulates the tension between those in positions of authority and the mysteries and wonders of the world. It serves as a reminder of the limitations of legislation and regulation in capturing the full breadth of human experience. The quote encourages reflection on the balance between order and the unknown, and the implications of seeking to codify and control every aspect of life.