5. Cogitationis poenam nemo patitur.
D. 48. 19. 18.
The thoughts and intents of men are not punishable. The law takes notice only of the overt and external act. In exceptional cases, however, the opposite maxim is applicable: Voluntas reputatur pro facto—The law takes the will for the deed. See § 137.
6. Communis error facit jus.
Coke’s Fourth Inst. f. 240. Cf. D. 33. 10. 3. 5: Error jus facit.
A precedent, even though erroneous, will make valid law, if its authority has been so widely accepted and relied on that its reversal has become inexpedient in the interests of justice. See § 65.
7. Cuius est solum eius est usque ad coelum.
Co. Litt. 4 a. 9 Co. Rep. 54. See § 155.
8. De minimis non curat lex.
Cro. Eliz. 353. Cf. the medieval maxim of the Civilians: Minima non curat praetor. Dernburg, Pandekten, I. § 140. n. 5.