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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §9.4.3.pr

Master's Knowledge and Distinguishing Instigation from Acquiescence

Passage 1584 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Defines that in all noxal actions, the "knowledge" of the master is understood as failing to forbid a wrong when able to do so, distinguishing between actively instigating and merely permitting the wrongdoing.

[IDEM libro tertio ad edictum. ] §9.4.3.prIn omnibus noxalibus actionibus, ubicumque scientia exigitur domini, sic accipienda est, si, cum prohibere posset, non prohibuit: aliud est enim auctorem esse seruo delinquenti, aliud pati delinquere.
[THE SAME, Book 3 on the Edict] In all noxal actions, wherever the knowledge of the master is required, it must be understood in this way: if, although he was able to forbid it, he did not forbid it; for it is one thing to be an instigator to a defaulting slave, another to permit him to do wrong.

Notes

  1. 9.4.3.prsic accipienda est — The subject of the gerundive predicate `accipienda est` is the feminine noun `scientia` (knowledge) from the preceding `ubicumque` clause. It literally means "the knowledge is to be understood in this way."
  2. 9.4.3.prcum prohibere posset — The conjunction `cum` is used here with the subjunctive imperfect `posset` to express either a concessive relation ("although he was able to forbid") or a circumstantial relation ("since/when he was able to forbid").

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §9.4.3.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:9.4.3.pr

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