Latin Proverbs, Mottoes, Phrases, and Words: Group C

Gross neglect.

A legal term, as opposed to culpa levis, "excusable neglect".

In old English law, "guilty". Culpabilis de intrusione, guilty of intrusion. Non culpabilis (non cul.), the plea of "not guilty".

Culpability, blameworthiness. Except in cases of absolute liability, a person's criminal culpability requires demonstrable proof that he/she acted purposely, knowingly, recklessly or negligently, as the law may require, with respect to each material element of the offense.

Culpable conduct, blamable; censurable; criminal; at fault; involving the breach of a legal duty or the commission of a fault. That which is deserving of moral blame. It implies that the act or conduct spoken of is reprehensible or wrong, but not that it involves malice or a guilty purpose.

Culpa caret qui scit sed prohibere non potest. He/She is clear of blame who knows, but cannot prevent.

Culpa est immiscere se rei ad se non pertinenti. It is a fault for any one to meddle in a matter not pertaining to him/her.

Culpa in contrahendo. Term used to describe the liability that attaches to a breach of contract, especially a breach by the offeror after the offeree has begun performance in a unilateral contract and is stopped by the offeror before completion of the performance that is also the acceptance of the offer in a unilateral contract. [Would you consider this typical legalese?].

Culpa lata dolo equiparatur. Gross negligence is held to be equivalent to intentional wrong.

Culpa tenet [teneat] suos auctores. Misconduct binds [should bind] its own authors. It is a never-failing axiom that every one is accountable for his own delicts.

Culprit, one accused or charged with a commission of a crime. Also, commonly used to mean one who is guilty of a crime or a legal fault.

Let the punishment be proportioned to the crime.

This principle has long been considered a cornerstone of criminal justice. A problem with this principle lies in the changing mood of the public, so what once appeared to be appropriate punishment for a given crime may now appear too lenient or too harsh.

Descendants pay for the shortcomings of their ancestors.

Also interpreted to mean: "The sins of the fathers." Is it possible that what we say and do now may affect future generations?

Punishment presses hard upon the heels of crime.

Horace was warning anyone contemplating the commission of a crime that it is very possible that he/she will be punished!

Since our frail life through dangers sure must run, count every day that comes as something won.

Cato (c. 234-149 B.C.), called "the Censor" or "the Elder", to distinguish him from the later Catos, was consul in 195 B.C., and censor in 184. In the latter office he tried to reform Roman morals, sparing no one and banning foreign habits and customs.

With a grain of salt.

It means that one should not believe certain things fully or literally: "There is some truth in the statement, but we must be careful about accepting it as correct, take it cum grano salis."

With praise.

A reference to a good examination grade or an earned degree from an educational institution.

Peace to all but battle to the vicious.

Motto of Otto II (973-983), who was already crowned and anointed emperor in Rome in 967 during his father's reign. After having successfully repelled the attacking Danes and warding off an attempt by the West Franks to seize Lorraine, his campaign in Southern Italy for his wife's hereditary claims ended in defeat. After a splendid assembly at Verona, he suddenly died at the age of 28 and is buried in St. Peter's, in Rome.

When they are silent, they shout [cry out].

This statement was made by Cicero and means that "silence is an admission of guilt". Despite the tradition of Western justice that a person accused of a crime is to required to give evidence (or testimony) against him/herself, there is still that view that silence is an admission of guilt.

1. A summary of one's education, professional history, and job qualifications, usually for a prospective employer.
2. Also called vita, vitae; a brief biographical résumé of a person's career and training, which is normally prepared by someone who is applying for a job.
3. From Latin, the course of one's life or career.

The wagon drags the ox.

It is a mistake to deal with minor considerations before getting down to the central issue confronting anyone; as we are warned: "Don't put the cart before the horse (ox)." When planning an activity, we must keep first things first.