Wrong & Wrongful Acts

One wrong does not excuse another.

Injuria non excusat injuriam.

Source: Broom, Max. 395; 11 Exch. 822; Branch, Princ.; Weisman, 105a

That another man wronged you first grants no license to wrong him in return — each wrong must be answered for independently.

No one can take advantage of his own wrong.

Nullus commodum capere potest de injuria sua propria.

Source: Co. Litt. 148b; Jenk. Cent. 161; Broom, Max. 279; Weisman, 105b

The law will never permit a wrongdoer to profit from his own wrongful act — no right, title, or benefit shall arise from a man's own unlawful conduct.

The law hates wrong.

Lex odit injuriam.

Source: Wing. Max. p. 563, max. 146; Finch, Law, b. 1, c. 3, no. 62; Weisman, 105d

The entire structure of law exists to prevent, deter, and remedy wrongful acts — the law's fundamental disposition is hostility toward every species of injustice.

A right cannot arise from a wrong.

Jus ex injuria non oritur.

Source: Broom, Max. 738 n.; 4 Bing. 639; Weisman, 77h

No lawful claim can be founded on an unlawful act — a right purportedly created by wrongdoing is no right at all.

Force, fraud, and wrong are the greatest enemies of peace.

Vis, fraus, et injuria, maximi sunt hostes pacis.

Source: Co. Litt. 161

The three great destroyers of civil order are violence, deceit, and injustice — the law's first object is to suppress all three.

It is better to turn back than to proceed wrongly.

Melius est recurrere quam male currere.

Source: 4 Inst. 176; Weisman, 95aa; Weisman, 105m

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.