He who can and ought to forbid a thing, and does not, commands it.

Explanation

The officer or guardian who has the power and duty to prevent a wrong but stands idle is treated as having authorized it — silence in the face of duty is complicity.

Where this applies

• A supervisor witnesses employee misconduct and does nothing to stop it.
• A manager can prevent fraud but chooses not to, making them complicit.

See also

• 3.7.3 A neglected duty often injures as much as a duty wrongfully performed.
• 3.7.13 He who does not repel a wrong when he can, occasions it.