General words are restricted to the ability of the thing or person.
Verba homicidium non excusant.
Words do not excuse homicide.
Verba intelligenda secundum subjectam materiem.
Words are to be understood according to the subject matter.
Verba ita sunt intelligenda, ut res magis valeat quam pereat.
Words are to be so understood, that the matter may rather prosper than perish.
Verba legis non ex vulgari sensu sed ex legis sensu, neque laxam et precariam sed certam et legibus præfinitam interpretationem requirunt.
The words of the law, not in a vulgar sense, but in the sense of the law, do not require a lax and precarious interpretation, but one certain and positive by the laws.
Verba relata id maxime operantur ut inesse videatur.