Humanitext Reader

Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §50.16.37.pr

Meaning of Oportere as Referring to Truth of Obligation

Passage 8851 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Paulus explains that the word 'oportere' (ought/must) refers to the objective truth of an obligation rather than the discretionary power of a judge who can award more or less in condemnation.

[PAULUS libro uicensimo sexto ad edictum. ] §50.16.37.prUerbum 'oportere' non ad facultatem iudicis pertinet, qui potest uel pluris uel minoris condemnare, sed ad ueritatem refertur.
[PAULUS, in the twenty-sixth book on the Edict.] The word 'oportere' does not relate to the power of the judge, who can condemn either for more or for less, but refers to the truth.

Notes

  1. §50.16.37.proportere — The infinitive of the impersonal verb *oportet* ('it is necessary', 'one ought'). It is a technical term indicating a strict legal obligation under civil law.
  2. §50.16.37.pruel pluris uel minoris — Genitives of value (genitivus pretii). It refers to 'either for more or for less' regarding the monetary amount of condemnation the judge may award.
  3. §50.16.37.prueritatem — Refers to the objective 'truth' or reality of the substantive legal obligation existing prior to the lawsuit, as opposed to the subjective or procedural discretion of the judge in determining the award.

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §50.16.37.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:50.16.37.pr

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