Latin Political and Legal Maxims

 (Hans Schmidt, 1912)

1. Vox populi est vox dei. - The voice of the people is the voice of God.
2. Salus populi, suprema lex. - The welfare of the people is the supreme law.
3. Dura lex, sed lex. - The may be harsh but it is the law.
4. Fiat justitia ruat caelum - Let justice be done even if the heavens fall.
5. Qui custodiet ipsos custodes? - Who guards the guardians?
6. Delegata potestas non delegari potest. - Delegated powers can no longer be delegated.
7. Ignorantia legis, non excusat neminem. - Ignorance of the law does not excuse anyone.
8. Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit non qui negat. - It is the duty of he who accuses to prove, not the one who denies.
9. Cuius est solum ejus usque ad caelum et ad infornos. - Whoever owns the soil holds title all the way up to the heavens, and down beneath the earth.
10. Par in parem, non habet imperium. - A state cannot claim jurisdiction over another.
11. Actus non facit, reum nisi mens sit rea. - The act is not guilty unless the mind is also guilty.
12. Sic utere tuo ut alienum non laedas. - Use your own as to avoid injury to another's property.
13. Ubi dubium, ibi libertas - If there is doubt, there is freedom.
14. Nemo debet bis vexari pro una et eadam causa. - No one is to be twice harassed for and and the same cause.

Photo Credits:

Hans Schmidt.  "Cicero's Speech Attacking Catilina." 1912  http://www.askart.com/askart/s/hans_w_schmidt/hans_w_schmidt.aspx.  and http://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/Ciceros-Speech-Attacking-Catilina-in-the/DAFE716CA0BDF808.  Last accessed 2013.