西方法谚精选

一、法的品性

（一）法的特点

The law does not define exactly, but trusts in the judgement of a good man.法律并不做（过于）详尽规定，而委诸善良之人进行判断。

The legislators do not care for those things which rarely happen.立法者不关心稀罕之事。

In law, the proximate, not the remote cause is regarded.法律只究近因，不问远因。There is no rule without a fault.有规则必有缺陷。

Every exception itself is also a rule.例外自身也是一条规则。

The smallest circumstance may change the law.最微小的环境变化也可能导致法律的变化。

Common error sometimes passes current as law.反复出现的普遍错误也会成为法律。

Principles prove, and they are not proved.原则用来证明而本身不需进行证明。（二）法与正义

The law delights in equity; it covets perfection; it is a rule of right.法律悦纳平衡，渴求完美，规定正义。

The greatest charity is to do justice to every one and at any time whenever it may be necessary.最大的善就是公正对待每个人，并且在任何需要时候都是如此。（三）法律、紧急需要与理性

Reason and authority are the two brightest lights of the world.理性和权威是世界上最明亮的两个灯塔。

What can be excused or extenuated in criminal cases by necessity is not so in civil ones.紧急需要在刑事案件中免除、减轻罪责，但在民事案件却不免除、减轻责任。（四）法律、惯例与衡平法

Equity is a specie of equality or equalization.衡平法帮助无知者，但不帮助粗心大意的人。

（五）法律冲突的处理规则

The express agreement of parties overcomes the law.双方当事人明示的协议胜过法律。

Private law is subject to the protection of public law.私法在公法的保护之下。

A public law or right cannot be altered by the agreement of private persons.公法或公共权利不因私人间的协议而改变。

When the common law and statute law concur, the common law is to be preferred.普

通法与指定法向冲突时，普通法优先。

General things do not derogate from special things.一般不废除特殊；一般法不会损害特别法。

二、权利、权力与责任

（一）法律的权威

Precedents that pass sub silentio are of little or no authority.默默无闻的先例是很少有权威性。

（二）法律与权利

No man can forfeit the right of another.任何人都不得剥夺他人的权利。

Where there is a right, there is a remedy.有权利必有救济。

T here is no wrong without a remedy.没有救济就谈不上侵权。

Remedies for rights are ever favorably extended. 权利救济的途径越宽越好。Time runs against the slothful and those who neglect their rights.时间总是对那些懒汉和忽视自身权利者不利。

（三）法律与自由

Everything is permitted, which is not forbidden by law.法不禁止即自由。

When doubts arise, the most generous and benign presumptions are to be preferred.如果出现疑问，就应该优先选择最宽容和仁慈的推定。

（四）义务和责任

Extremely difficult things are regarded as impossibility.极度困难即视为不可能。The fault of another should not do injury to us.责任应当自负。

Ignorance of fact excuses, ignorance of the law does not excuse.对事实无知可以免责，对法律无知不可免责。

（五）法律与权力

Supreme power can dissolve, but cannot bind itself.最高权力可以解散，但是不可能约束自己。

Ever jurisdiction has its bounds.每一种管辖权都有其界限。

In the presence of the superior power, the inferior power ceases.在上级出面时，下级就不再行使其权力。

The power derived cannot be greater than that from which it is derived.派生之权力，不能比原权力大。

A power is strictly interpreted.对权力应从严解释。

三、法官与司法

（一）法官即其职责