Misconduct binds [should bind] its own authors. It is a never-failing axiom that everyone is accountable only for his own offense or wrong.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) Each man answers only for his own misconduct — liability cannot be shifted to one who had no part in the wrong.

Where this applies

• A company that pollutes a river cannot shift the cleanup costs to the downstream town that had nothing to do with the contamination.
• A parent who damages a rental property is personally liable for repairs — the landlord cannot charge the tenant next door who had no part in it.
• A drunk driver who crashes into a storefront is responsible for the damage — the store owner cannot be forced to share blame for simply having a building on the street.