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The Digest of Justinian

§5.1.66.pr

Principle of Favorable Interpretation in Ambiguous Expressions

States the interpretive principle that if a person's expression of intent or speech is ambiguous, the interpretation more advantageous to them must be adopted.

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[IDEM libro secundo disputationum.]

[THE SAME, in the Second Book of Disputations.]

§5.1.66.pr

​Si quis intentione ambigua uel oratione1 usus sit, id quod utilius ei est accipiendum est.2

​If anyone has used an ambiguous expression of intent or speech, that which is more advantageous to him must be accepted.

Syntax notes2 items
  1. 5.1.66.printentione ambigua uel oratione

    These ablatives serve as the object of the deponent verb usus sit (from utor). Here, intentio refers to the expression of intention, and oratio refers to the spoken or written words.

  2. 5.1.66.praccipiendum est

    This is a passive periphrastic construction (gerundive + est) expressing obligation or necessity, agreeing with the subject clause id quod utilius ei est.

Translated by Gemini 3.5 Flash (published 2026-07-12)urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:5.1.66.pr