Skip to content
NeCede's

Maxim 1.5.97

Speech is the indication of thought.

Index animi sermo est.

Source: Jackson Difficulty 1/5 — Foundational

Explanation

A person’s words are taken as evidence of his intent — the law judges the mind by what the mouth declares.

Where this applies

  • A person's own statements are used to prove their intent in a fraud case.
  • Someone's words in a meeting are cited as evidence of their true purpose.

Legal domains

procedural

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 1.5.97 — Speech is the indication of thought. — Jackson (Index animi sermo est.)

Found an error? Suggest a correction →