That which is or lawful in the less shall be lawful in the greater; and that which is not lawful in the greater shall neither be lawful in the less.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) What is lawful in the lesser case is also lawful in the greater, and what is unlawful in the greater is also unlawful in the lesser — use this to argue by analogy from established precedent to a stronger or weaker case.

Where this applies

• If a lesser exercise of a right is lawful, a greater exercise of the same right cannot be prohibited.
• What is prohibited in the greater case is also prohibited in the lesser — analogy from strong to weak precedent.