He who can will [exercise volition,] has a right to refuse to will, [to withhold consent.].

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) The right to consent necessarily includes the right to withhold consent — volition is meaningless unless refusal is equally available.

Where this applies

• A homeowner is told she must consent to a city inspection, but she has an equal right to refuse — you cannot have a right to say yes without also having the right to say no.
• A patient asked to sign a consent form for surgery has every right to decline — the power to consent necessarily includes the power to withhold consent.
• A citizen asked to waive his rights during a police encounter can refuse, because the freedom to agree means nothing unless he is equally free to disagree.