A philologicall commentary, or, An illustration of the most obvious and useful words in the lavv with their distinctions and divers acceptations, as they are found as well in reports antient and modern as in records and memorials never printed : usefull for all young students of the law / by Edward Leigh ...

MAXIM.

A Maxim, is a proposition to be of all men con∣fessed,* 1.1 and granted without a proof, argument or discourse, contra negantem principia, non est dis∣putandum, antient principles of the Law ought not to be disputed.

It is better (saith the Law) to suffer a mischief that is particular to one, then an inconvenience, that* 1.2 may prejudice many, Lex citius tolerare vult priva∣tum damnum quam publi cum malum. Summa ratio est, quae pro religione facit. A Statute directly against the* 1.3 Law of God is void.

The Rule of the Law is, Nemo debet bis puniri pro uno delicto, and the Divine saith, Nemo bis agit in id ipsum. Interest Reipublicae ne quis re sua malè utatur.

Beneficium transit cum onere, qui sentit commodum sentire debet & omis.

Benignior sententia in verbis generalibus seu dubiis est praeferenda.

Interest Reipublicae, ne malificia maneant im∣punita, & impunitas semper ad deteriora in∣vitat.

Nihil tam conveniens est naturali aequitati, u∣numquodque dissolvi eo ligamine quo ligatum est.

As no estate can be vested in the King without* 1.4 matter of Record, so none can be devested out of him without matter of Record. Things are dissol∣ved, as they are contracted.

An Obligation or other matter in writing, can∣not be discharged by an Agreement by word.

In praesentia majoris cessat potentia minoris.

The Book Cases are best proofs what the Law is.

Argumentum ab authoritate, fortissimum est in* 1.5 Lege.

Repellitur à Sacramento insamis.

Quod ab initio non valet, in ••ractu temporis non con∣valejcet,* 1.6 & quae mala sunt in••h••ata à principio, vix est ut bono per agantur exitu.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cook on Lit. Principia probant, non pro∣bantur.
• * 1.2

  Cook on Lit. p. 7. 7.
• * 1.3

  Dr. and Student. Cook 5 Rep.
• * 1.4

  Cook 1 Rep. Cholmleys case.
• * 1.5

  Cook on Lit. p. 141.
• * 1.6

  Cook.