Suum cuique
tribuere
To each one
his due
This is one
of the most famous Latin legal maxims. It is placed above the courthouse doors
of many cities around the world, like in the picture above of Milan’s
courthouse. The phrase comes from a lost work of the great Roman jurist Ulpian,
the “Rules”. The relevant passage was included in the Digest of emperor
Justinian, a handbook for Roman law students.
The passage
comes from the beginning of the book and gives the basic definition of justice:
«Iustitia
est constans et perpetua voluntas ius suum cuique tribuendi. Iuris praecepta
sunt haec: honeste vivere, alterum non laedere, suum cuique tribuere.»
"Justice is
the constant and perpetual desire to give to each one that to
which he is entitled. This are the precepts of the Law: to live honestly, to harm no one, and to give
to each one his due."
