Latin quote · Justice
Malum prohibitum
“Wrong because it is prohibited.”
Legal term
Translation
What does “Malum prohibitum” mean?
Malum prohibitum translates as “Wrong because it is prohibited.”
An act that is wrong only because a law forbids it, such as breaking a speed limit.
Origin
The story behind it
A legal term contrasted with malum in se, used in common-law writing to separate offences against morality from offences against regulation.
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 prohibitum
- English
- Wrong because it is prohibited.
- Source
- Legal term
- Era
- Early Modern
- Theme
- Justice
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