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NeCede's

Maxim 3.7.11

An office ought to be injurious to no one.

Officium nemini debet esse damnosum.

Source: Jenk. Cent. 101; Bouvier, Max. Difficulty 1/5 — Foundational

Explanation

Public office is a trust, not a weapon — the power of office must never be turned against the officer's own constituents or used to harm those it was created to serve.

Where this applies

  • A public office is used to harm the very people it exists to serve.
  • An official abuses their position to punish political opponents.

Legal domains

constitutionalsovereignty

See also

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 3.7.11 — An office ought to be injurious to no one. — Jenk. Cent. 101; Bouvier, Max. (Officium nemini debet esse damnosum.)

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