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Monday, August 04, 2014

List of Latin Political and Legal Maxims

For 1CA3 and 1HST2:

These principles were uttered in the middle ages, some dating back to the early middle ages.  Some were originally spoken by senators and emperors of Rome as guiding doctrines of politics and law.

Your task is to 1) memorize these maxims and 2) be ready to recite them in order in front of the class, and 3) prepare to be asked questions in applying the principles to real life scenarios.

Latin maxim recitations will start on August 11, 2014 (Monday)

 (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 law 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 infernos. - 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 one 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.

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