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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §22.6.6.pr

Inexcusable Negligence and Excessive Inquiry in Ignorance

Passage 3284 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Ulpian argues regarding ignorance of a fact that while supine ignorance should not be tolerated, a meticulous inquiry should not be required either, emphasizing a balanced standard between negligence and excessive curiosity.

[ULPIANUS libro octauo decimo ad legem Iuliam et Papiam. ] §22.6.6.prNec supina ignorantia ferenda est factum ignorantis, ut nec scrupulosa inquisitio exigenda: scientia enim hoc modo aestimanda est, ut nec neglegentia crassa aut nimia securitas satis expedita sit neque delatoria curiositas exigatur.
[ULPIANUS, in his eighteenth book on the Julian and Papian Law.] Neither is supine ignorance to be tolerated in one who is ignorant of a fact, nor is meticulous inquiry to be demanded; for knowledge is to be evaluated in such a way that neither gross negligence nor excessive carelessness is sufficiently excused, nor is the curiosity of an informer required.

Notes

  1. §22.6.6.prfactum ignorantis — The genitive of the present participle, 'ignorantis', acts substantively while retaining its transitive verbal nature to govern the accusative noun 'factum' (fact). Together they form a genitive phrase modifying 'ignorantia', meaning '(the ignorance) of one who is ignorant of a fact'.
  2. §22.6.6.prsatis expedita sit — Third-person singular present subjunctive passive in the consecutive 'ut' clause. The verb 'expedire' (to untangle, set free) is here used in the sense of 'to be excused' or 'to be cleared of blame', meaning with 'satis' 'to be sufficiently excused'.

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §22.6.6.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:22.6.6.pr

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