Skip to content
NeCede's

Maxim 12.7.4

Laws can neither prevent accidents nor equally protect all against them.

Leges neque accidentia praecavere neque aequaliter contra ea omnes protegere possunt.

Source: Louisiana v. Resweber, 329 U.S. 459, 465; Weisman, 1e Difficulty 1/5 — Foundational

Explanation

The law is not an insurer against all misfortune — it governs human conduct, not the operations of chance.

Where this applies

  • The law can't prevent every accident from happening.
  • Not every bad outcome is the law's fault — some things are just misfortune.
  • The law governs human conduct, not the operations of chance.

Legal domains

tort

See also

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 12.7.4 — Laws can neither prevent accidents nor equally protect all against them. — Louisiana v. Resweber, 329 U.S. 459, 465; Weisman, 1e (Leges neque accidentia praecavere neque aequaliter contra ea omnes protegere possunt.)

Found an error? Suggest a correction →