The law punishes falsehood.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) Perjury and false testimony are among the wrongs the law most actively punishes, because the integrity of judicial proceedings depends entirely on the truthfulness of witnesses.

Where this applies

• A witness who lies under oath is prosecuted for perjury because the law actively punishes those who speak falsely in judicial proceedings.
• A man who files a fraudulent insurance claim is criminally charged, because the law does not tolerate false statements made to obtain money.
• A student who forges a transcript to gain college admission faces legal consequences, because falsifying official documents is an offense the law punishes.