Maxim 7.7.7
It is better to turn back than to proceed wrongly.
Melius est recurrere quam male currere.
Source: 4 Inst. 176; Weisman, 95aa; Weisman, 105m
Difficulty 1/5 — Foundational
Explanation
When a course of action is discovered to be unlawful, the duty is to stop and reverse — not to press on and hope the wrong corrects itself.
Where this applies
- I realized my lawsuit has no merit — should I keep going or drop it?
- The government program is clearly unconstitutional — it should be stopped rather than allowed to continue.
Topics
Legal domains
See also
Cite this maxim
NeCede Max. 7.7.7 — It is better to turn back than to proceed wrongly. — 4 Inst. 176; Weisman, 95aa; Weisman, 105m (Melius est recurrere quam male currere.)
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