西方法谚精选

1、精选优质文档-倾情为你奉上精选优质文档-倾情为你奉上专心-专注-专业专心-专注-专业精选优质文档-倾情为你奉上专心-专注-专业一、法的品性（一）法的特点Where the law is uncertain, there is no law.法无定法，则无法。The letters written stay while the voice flies away.书写的文字留下了，说话的声音飞走了。The law does not define exactly, but trusts in the judgment of a good man.法律并不做（过于）详尽规定，而委诸善良之人进行判断。I

2、t is a miserable slavery where the law is vague or uncertain.法律一旦模糊或不确定，人们就会陷入可怕的奴役。If you depart from the law, you will wander without a guide, and everything will be in a state of uncertainty to every one. 如果离开法律，你就会因失去方向而迷茫，所有的事物也都会处于不确定的状态。Too great certainty destroys certainty itself.过于确定就会破坏确定

3、性本身。Too great subtleness in law is reproachable.在法律中，过于精密并不可取。That which is capable of being made certain is to be treated certain.可得而确定者，亦为确定。All definitions in law are hazardous.在法律中所有定义都是危险的。Every definition in law is perilous, and an exception may reverse it.法律中每一个定义都是危险的，一个例外就可以推翻它。The practice

4、 of fixing and refixing the laws is a most dangerous one.朝令夕改是最危险的做法。In time of war, the law is silent.战争一开始，法律就沉默。The laws sometimes sleep, but never die.法律有时会沉睡，但绝不会灭亡。When the law is effective, the people are prosperous.法律有效力。国民便昌盛。Force is inimical to the laws.武力是与法律不相容的。The order of pleading be

5、ing preserved, the law is preserved.没有诉权，就没有法律。The law looks forward, not backward.法律向前看，不向后看。A new statute should affect the future, not the past.新法影响未来而不是过去。The law provides for the future, the judge for the past.法律为未来作规定，法官为过去做判决。A new law ought to be prospective, not retrospective in its operati

6、ons.在实施过程中，新的法律应规定未来，而不应溯及既往。Every new law should give a form to future, not to past.任何新法均不针对过去，而是着眼于将来。It is clear that laws and ordinances settle the course of future transactions and do not refer to bygone matters, unless their provisions relate expressly both to a past time and matters hitherto

7、pending.法律和法规之规定将来的事务，而不管过去之事项，这乃自明之理；但是法律明确规定对于迄今未决之过去事项予以适用者，不在此限。A law is not obligatory unless it be promulgated.法律不经公布就有效力。Where there is no law, there is no transgression.没有法律也就谈不上违法。Nothing which is inconvenient is lawful.不合宜者，亦不合法。Laws are adapted to general persons not to singular ones.法不是针

8、对个别人而是针对一般人而设计的。Laws are adapted to those cases which most commonly occur.法规是针对那些最常出现的情况制定的。The legislators do not care for those things which rarely happen.立法者不关心稀罕之事。Those things which rarely happen are not to be taken into account in the transaction of business without sufficient reason.在处理事物时，除非

9、有足够的根据，否则就不应当去考虑那些罕有发生的事情。The law does not care for very small or trifling matters.法律不计较琐细的事。The law does not concern itself about trifles.法律不关心琐碎的事情。The law aids the ignorant.法律帮助无知者。The law aids minors.法律帮助无知者。The law aids minors.法律帮助未成年人。The law helps persons who are deceived, not those deceiving

10、.法律帮助受欺骗的人而不帮助行骗的人。He vainly invokes the aid of the law who transgresses the law.谁违反法律谁就别指望得到法律的帮助。Laws are imposed, not on words, but things.法不是玩弄文字的，而是规定事理的。All laws are made for human being.任何法都是为人而设计的。The wisdom of law cannot be valued by money.法律的智慧不能以金钱来衡量。The law does injury to no one.法律本身不会伤

11、害任何人。A fiction of law injures no one.法律上的拟制不会损害任何人。The law does injustice to no one.法律不会对任何人不公平。Where there is a law, there is a penalty.有法律就有惩罚。The law punishes falsehood.法律惩罚不诚实的行为。Whatever is done in excess is prohibited by law.行为超过限度，法律就禁止。The multitude of those who err is no excuse for error.法亦

12、责众。The law always abhors delay.法律总是痛恨迟延。The law regards the order of nature.法律尊重自然秩序。In law, the proximate, not the remote cause is regarded.法律只究近因，不问远因。The law requires not what is vain and useless.法律不要求无用无益之事。The law never requires what is vain and useless.法律不强制任何人实施无益或无用的行为。Laws never order what

13、is vain.法律不做出任何无益的命令。The law does not arise from the rule, but the rule from the law.法非源于规则，而是规则源于法。No man ought to be wiser than the law.任何人都不会比法律更聪明。It is wiser to argue with law than to argue with man.与法相争比与人相争更明智。The disposition of aw is firmer and more powerful than the will of man.法律的意志比人的意志更坚

14、强有力。The disposition of law is more just than the disposition of man.法律的处置比人的处置更公平。The custody of the law is stronger than that of man.法律的监护比人的监护更有力。The law is the most secure armor with which no one can be invaded.法律是最安全的盔甲，在法律的保护下，任何人都不会受侵犯。Laws are easier to be enacted than to be carried out.造法易，执

15、法难。Execution is the end and fruit of the law.实施乃法律的目的和果实。The effect of the law consists in the execution.法律的效力在于实施。The execution of the law causes no injury.实施法律不会造成任何损害。The process of the law is a grievous vexation; the execution of the law crowns the work.法律的过程是令人烦恼的过程；只有法律得到了执行才算完成了工作。Law arises

16、out of fact; that is, its application must be to facts.法律源于事实，即实施法律必须以事实为依据。Simplicity is friend of the laws.简洁乃法律之友。The law should be brief so as to be easily understood.法律必须简洁以便更容易掌握。The law is to be understood by all.法律应当被一切人所理解。The laws consist not in being read, but in being understood.法律在于理解，而

17、不在于字义。There is no rule without a fault.有规则必有缺陷。Hard cases make bad law.疑难案件使法律徒具虚名。No example is the same for all purpose.不存在可以适用于所有目的的判例。Every exception itself is also a rule.例外自身也是一条规则。There is no rule but what may fail.任何规则皆有例外。All rules of law are liable to exceptions.所有的法律规则都容易有例外。An exception

18、affirms the rule in cases not excepted.一个例外在不属于例外的案件中证实了规则。An exception proves an opposite rule.一个例外可以证明一个相反的规则。The exception also declares the rule.例外也宣告了法律规则。An exception is always to be put last.例外总是被放在最后考虑。Examples illustrate and do not restrict the law.案例阐明而不是限制法律规则。Whatever is inserted for the

19、 purpose of removing doubts does not hurt or affect the common law.为了消除疑惑，无论增加什么都不会有损或影响普通法。Human laws are born, live and die.人定之法都要经历产生、成长和死亡的过程。It is a perpetual law that no human or positive law can be perpetual.没有人定法或实在法是永恒的，这一条永恒的定律。The smallest circumstance may change the law.最微小的环境变化也可能导致法律的变

20、化。Common error, repeated many times, makes law.反复出现的普遍错误也会成为法律。Common error sometimes passes current as law.普遍的错误有时也可能成为法律Error of law is injurious.法律中的错误是非常有害的。There is no disputing against or denying principles.原则不容许反对或否认。Principles prove, and they are not proved.原则用来证明而本身不需进行证明。There is no reason

21、ing of principles.原则不需要论证。The principle of a thing is its most powerful part.事物的原则是其最强有力的组成部分。When the law gives anything, it gives tacitly what is incident to it.当法律给予人们什么时，它也不声不响地给予其附带的东西。The justice achieves through proper prevention is better than that through severe punishment.通过严厉惩罚实现正义不如通过适当预

22、防实现正义。It is better to meet a thing in time than to seek a remedy after an injury is inflicted.及时预防要比造成损害后再寻求补救要好得多。Prevention is better than cure.预防胜于补救。Violence may also put on the mask of law.暴力也可能戴着法律的假面具。（二）法与正义Jurisprudence is the knowledge of things divine and human, the science of what is rig

23、ht and what is wrong.法学是关于神道和人事的知识，是关于正义和非正义的学问。There are the precepts of the law: to live honor-ably; to hurt nobody; to render to every one his due.法律的箴言是：体面生活，不伤害他人，让每个人各得其所。Law is the science of what is good and just.法律乃善良公平之学问。What is good and equal is the law of laws.善和公平乃法上之法。The law delights

24、 in equity; it covets perfection; it is a rule of right.法律悦纳平衡，渴求完美，规定正义。Justice is the foundation of the state.正义是国家的基础。Law is a rule of right.法律乃公正之准绳。Law is a rule of right; and whatever is contrary to the rule of right is a wrong.法律乃公正的准则，违反正义准则的行为就属违法行为。Unjust laws are not laws.非正义的法律不是法律。The l

25、aw addresses all with one voice.法律对所有人都用一个声音讲话。The greatest charity is to do justice to every one and at any time whenever it may be necessary.最大的善就是公正对待每个人，并且在任何需要时候都是如此。Justice has long arms.天网恢恢，疏而不漏。Heavens vengeance is slow but sure.善有善报，恶有恶报，不是不报，时候未到。Let justice be done, though the heavens sh

26、ould fall.按公理办事，天塌下来也不怕。The law ought not to fail in dispensing justice.在分配正义时，法律必须有所作为。The law ought not to make default in dispensing justice to those who seek it.对于寻求正义者，不给予正义就是法律的失职。The law does not fail in showing justice.法律总能显示正义的力量。Fraud and justice never agree together.欺诈和正义从来都是不相容的。Justice

27、is not to be denied or delayed.正义既不容否认也不容迟延。Justice knows neither father nor mother, justice looks to truth alone.正义不认双亲，只认真理。The radical element of justice is equality.正义的根本要素是平等。An act in law shall prejudice no man.法律不应该歧视任何人。The law permits the taking up of arms against armed person.法律允许拿起舞起来对付持有

28、武器的人。Nothing unjust is presumed in law.法律假定所有的法律规定都是正义的。The laws of nature are unchangeable.自然法则是不可以改变的。All men are equal before the natural law.自然法面前人人平等。（三）法律、紧急需要与理性Law is the dictate of reason.法律是理性的命令。Nothing against reason is lawful.违反理性的东西不可能是合法的。What is inconvenient or contrary to reason is

29、not allowed in law.法律不应容忍不合时宜或有违理性之事。Reason and authority are the two brightest lights of the world.理性和权威是世界上最明亮的两个灯塔。That which is received against the reason of the law is not to be advanced to a precedent.违反理性而或承认之事，不足为例。Things introduced contrary to the reason of the law ought not to be drawn in

30、to precedents.有违法律理性的东西不应出现在判例中。The reason of law is the soul of law.法律的理性是其灵魂所在。Like reason does make like law.同样的理性创造同样的法律。Reason is the soul of the law, when the reason of any particular law ceases, so does the law itself.理性是法律的灵魂，当任何特定法律的理性没有了，法律也随之中止。When the reason of the law ceases, the law i

31、tself also ceases.法律理性消失，法律本身也不存在。The will of people stands in place of reason.人民的意志就是立法的理由。The mind of the sovereign is presumed to be coincident with that of the law and with that which it ought to be especially in ambiguous matters.统治者的意向得推定为与法律的意向是一致的，对模凌两可的问题，特别应该进行这样的推定。The law never suffers a

32、nything contrary to truth .法律绝不容忍违反真理的事情。He who does not willingly speak the truth is a betrayer of the truth.不愿说真话就是背叛真理。He who does not speak the truth is a traitor to the truth.不说真话的人就是真理的背叛者。Truth fears nothing but concealment.真理只担心被蒙蔽。By too much altercation truth is lost.争论过多，真理消失。The law neve

33、r suffers anything contrary to truth. But sometimes it allows a conclusive presumption in opposition to truth.法律绝不容忍违反真理的事情，但是有时也允许做出与真理相反的结论性假设。Nothing is more just than what is necessary.没有什么比紧急需要更正当了。Necessity overcomes the law.紧急需要高于法律。What necessity forces, it justifies.情势所迫，情有可原。Necessity has

34、no law.在紧急需要的情况下，就不考虑法律。Necessity makes that lawful which otherwise is unlawful.紧急需要可以使本来非法的东西变为合法。Necessity is under no law, for necessity makes that lawful which otherwise is unlawful.紧急时之所以不受法律的制约，理由在于紧急使得在其他场合不合法的行为变为合法。Necessity is the law of time and of place.紧急需要就是法律，但应依时间和地点而定。Necessity defe

35、nds or justified what it compels.紧急需要可以用来为应急行为辩护。Necessary good is not good beyond the bounds of necessity.紧急需要的善一旦超出紧急需要的范围就不再是善。What is introduced due to necessity is only allowed to be so in necessity.紧急之时允许之事只限于紧急之时。What can be excused or extenuated in criminal cases by necessity is not so in ci

36、vil ones.紧急需要在刑事案件中免除、减轻罪责，但在民事案件却不免除、减轻责任。（四）法律、惯例与衡平法The people believe customs are laws.民众认为惯例法律。Custom is another law.惯例是另外一种法律。Common usage is common law.共同的惯例就是普通法。Common opinions have the force of customs.法学家的共同意见具有习惯的力量，The custom of the place is to be observed.当地的风俗习惯应该得到遵守。A reasonable cus

37、tom is to be obeyed like law.一个合理的惯例应该像法律一样获得服从。A prescriptive and legitimate custom overcomes the law.约定俗成和正当的惯例高于法律。A custom should be certain; for an uncertain custom is considered null.惯例应当是明确的，因为人们认为不明确的惯例就是无效的。Custom is the best expounder of the laws.惯例是法律最好的解释着。Custom overcomes the unwritten

38、law, if it be special; and interprets the written law, if the law be general.如果惯例比较具体，惯例优于不成文法；如果法律比较笼统，惯例就解释成文法。A custom, though it be of great authority, should never prejudice manifest truth.惯例及时具有极大权威性，也决不应有损于显而易见的真理。An evil custom is to be abolished.恶俗应该废除。A custom introduced against reason oug

39、ht rather to be called a “usurpation” than a “custom”.违反理性的惯例，与其叫“惯例”不如叫“强词夺理”。Custom once disallowed cannot be again brought forward.惯例一旦遭到否决就再也不能加以援引。Custom leads the willing, law compels the unwilling.惯例在于自觉遵守，而法律在于强制服从。What is done contrary to the custom of our ancestors, neither pleases nor app

40、ears right.有违我们祖先惯例的行为不会是正确。A reason cannot be given for all the laws that have been established by our ancestors.对于祖先传来之法律，无须悉数究明其理由。Equity acts upon the person.衡平法是对个别的人讲公平。Equity is a specie of equality or equalization.衡平法是平等或实现平等的一种形式。Equity is a specie of equality or equalization.衡平法帮助无知者，但不帮助粗

41、心大意的人。Equity does not make law, but assists law.衡平法并不造法，但对法起辅助作用。Equity never counteracts the law.衡平法决不会与法律背道而驰。Equity follows the law.衡平法不喜欢过头的东西。Equity is the life of a legal fiction.衡平法是法律拟制的生命所在。In a fiction of law, equity always subsists.在法律拟制中，衡平始终存在。Equity delegates equality.衡平法代表公平。Necessity

42、 creates equity.紧急需要创造衡平法。（五）法律冲突的处理规则The agreement of private person cannot derogate from public right.私人间的协议不得有损于公共的权利。The express agreement of parties overcomes the law.双方当事人明示的协议胜过法律。Private law is subject to the protection of public law.私法在公法的保护之下。A public law or right cannot be altered by the

43、agreement of private persons.公法或公共权利不因私人间的协议而改变。Private contracts cannot derogate from the public law.私人协议不得未被功法。Public rights are to be preferred to private ones.两个权利相冲突时，存在时间更长的权利优先。When the common law and statute law concur, the common law is to be preferred.普通法与制定法向冲突时，普通法优先。Later laws prevail o

44、ver those which preceded them.后法优于前法。A later statute takes away the effect of a prior one.后法废止前法。What the people have last enacted, let that be the established law.让最后制定的法律发挥法律的效力。Later laws abrogate prior contrary laws.后法废止与之相抵触的前法。Later laws repeal earlier laws inconsistent therewith.后法废除与其相矛盾的前法。

45、Later general laws do not derogate from prior special ones,特别法优于一般法。General things do not derogate from special things.一般不废除特殊；一般法不会损害特别法。二、权利、权力与责任（一）法律的权威Regard for the public welfare is the highest law.公共福利是最高的法律。The safety of the state is the supreme law.国家的安全乃最高的法律。The voice of the people is th

46、e supreme law.人民的声音是最高的法律。Laws are enacted to guard the security of the people and the state,法律的制定是为了市民的安宁与国家的安全。No one is above the law.任何人不得凌驾于法律之上。No power can prevail against law.任何权力都不得凌驾于法律之上。The solemnities of law are to be observed.法律的严肃性应当得到尊重。The law should not be laughed at.法律不应是嘲笑的对象。The

47、 law should not be judged.法律不应受评判。The law may be harsh, but that is the law.峻法亦法。Obedience is the essence of the law.服从是法律的本质。Law should bind the proposers of them.法律对立法者亦有拘束力。We may do what is allowed by law.法律允许，方可行为。No one can act unless the law so provides.未得法律允许，不得行为。He acts prudently who obeys

48、 the commands of the law.服从法律命令的人都会谨慎行事。Politics are to be adapted to the laws, and not the laws to politics.政治应该适应法律而不应法律适应政治。Private good yields to public good.个人利益服从公共利益。Public necessity is greater than private.公共需要高于私人需要。Private inconvenience is made up for by public benefit.私人的不便成全了公共福利。Where t

49、here is no authority of enforce, there is no authority to obey.没有强制力就没有权威。To know the laws is not to observe their mere words, but their force.知法不单指要了解法律的文句，而且还指要维护其效力。The torture or wresting of laws is the worst.歪曲法律是最恶劣的行为、Precedents that pass sub silentio are of little or no authority.默默无闻的先例很少有权

50、威性。When laws imposed by the state fail, we must act by the law of nature.当国家施加的法律不起作用时，我们必须根据自然法行事。Where there is no direct law, the opinion of the judges ought to be taken, or reference made to similar cases.如果找不到可以直接使用的法律，就应该听取法官的意见或参考相似的案例。In default of the law, the maxim rules.没有法律就依照法律格言。（二）法律与

51、权利Rights never die.权利永存。What constitutes right, and what injury, it is the business of law to declare.法之义务在于宣示何者构成权利，何者构成权利之侵犯。No man can forfeit the right of another.任何人都不得剥夺他人的权利。Law is established for the benefit of man.法是为人的利益而立的。Scarcely any law can be made which is beneficial to all; but if it

52、 benefits the majority it is useful.法律之制定很难照顾到全体人民的利益，如果它能够顾及到大多数的利益就算不错了。Every one may renounce or relinquish a right introduced for his own benefit.人人可放弃有利于自己的权利。Ignorance of ones right does not prejudice the right.对于自己权利的无知，无害于该权利。He who uses his legal rights harms no one.行使自己的合法权利不会损害他人。The act

53、of the law does no one an injury.根据法律而为的行为不会对任何人造成损害。Where there is a right, there is a remedy.有权利必有救济。When the law gives anything, it gives the means of obtaining it.当法律给予人们什么，它也给予人们获得的途径。T here is no wrong without a remedy.没有救济就谈不上侵权。Remedies for rights are ever favorably extended. 权利救济的途径越宽越好。He

54、who destroys the means destroys the end.手段不存在，目的也完蛋。The laws aid those who are vigilant, not those who sleep upon their rights.法律帮助那些时刻警觉的人，而不是那些躺在权利上睡大觉的人。The law aid the vigilant, not the negligent.法律并不帮助粗心大意的人，而帮助对自己利益警觉的人。Time runs against the slothful and those who neglect their rights.时间总是对那些懒

55、汉和忽视自身权利者不利。Right and fraud never dwell together.权利和欺诈从来就不相容。A right does not rise out a wrong.不法行为是不会产生权利的。Every right is either made by consent, or is constituted by necessity, or established by custom.每一项权利或者基于同意而存在，或者由于紧急需要或惯例而产生。No one can confirm a right before the right accrues to him.任何人在获得某

56、项权利之前都不得行使该权利。He confirms a use who removes an abuse.要行使权利就不得滥用。No one ought to gain by anothers loss.任何人都不应损人利己。By the law of nature, it is not just that any one should be enriched by the detriment or injury of another.依照自然法，任何人都不得以损害他人来达到利己的目的。No one can take advantage of his own wrong.任何人都不能从自己的错

57、误行为中获益。No one can improve his condition by his own misdeed.任何人都不能通过自己的不端行为改善自己的状况。One ought not to take advantage of his own wrong.任何人都不能从自己的错误行为中获益。Necessity gives a privilege as to private rights.就私权而言，紧急需要就产生特权。It is for the interest of the state that a man should not enjoy his own property impro

58、perly.每个人都不应当滥用自己的财产权，这是国家利益所要求的。Enjoy your own property in such a manner as not to injure that of anotherperson.财产权应当以不损害他人的方式加以行使。Under pretext of legality, what is illegal ought not to be admitted.非法的东西不应该因为有合法的借口就可以获得许可。（三）法律与自由Everything is permitted, which is not forbidden by law.法不禁止即自由。No on

59、e is punished for his thoughts.任何人都不能因为思想而受到惩罚。No one is punished for merely thinking of a crime.任何人都不能仅仅因为想犯罪就受到惩罚。Evil deeds are distinguished from evil purposes.邪恶的行为与邪恶的目的是不同的。No men can be compelled to criminate himself.任何人都不能被迫自证其罪Not twice for same.同样的事情不能作两次。No one should be twice harassed f

60、or the same cause.同一案件不受两次处理。A person may not be punished differently than according to what the sentence enjoins.除了判决所确定的惩罚外任何人都不应受其他的惩罚。No guilt attaches to him who is compelled to obey.任何罪行都不得归于被迫服从的人。No one is prohibited from making use of several defenses.不能禁止任何人使用多种防卫手段。It is unjust that freed