Latin quote · Justice
Malum in se
“Wrong in itself.”
Legal term
Translation
What does “Malum in se” mean?
Malum in se translates as “Wrong in itself.”
An act that is wrong by its very nature, such as murder, whether or not a law forbids it.
Origin
The story behind it
A legal term contrasted with malum prohibitum; William Blackstone discussed the distinction in his Commentaries on the Laws of England in the 18th century.
When to use it
Perfect for
It works as a caption, a card message, a tattoo idea, a motto for your desk or a print for your wall.
- Latin
- Malum in se
- English
- Wrong in itself.
- Source
- Legal term
- Era
- Early Modern
- Theme
- Justice
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