Adagium is: understanding, examples, and functions in law and daily life

In the world of law, my friend may have heard of Latin quotes that sound strange but full of deep meaning. Such a quote is commonly known by the name Legal Adagium. Adagium is a term in the field of law that is usually used by legal practitioners when it is in a ceremony, but actually the use of adagium is not only as a material for rhetoric but also often can influence a person’s perspective on law and its application in daily life.

So, what is adagium? This article will discuss in depth related to the understanding, examples and functions of adagium in the law and daily lives of the community.

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Understanding Adagium

Adagium is a short sentence that contains basic values or principles in law. According to the Big Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), adagium is defined as a proverb or proverb, which generally uses Latin or English and contains deep meaning. Therefore, adagium is often used as a basis for thinking and consideration in analyzing legal issues.

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The function and purpose of the adagium

The use of adagium in the legal context is often the initial foothold in understanding and interpreting legal principles. Because adagium itself functions as a basis for thinking and consideration in analyzing and strengthening legal arguments as a reference in resolving legal problems. Where legal practitioners such as academics, judges or advocates often make adagium as a basis for their rationary and basis for arguing in proceedings.

In addition, the use of adagium in law can help to maintain the consistency and integration of the legal system by instilling the basic values that have been tested by time. Adagium is also often used as a reference in the formation of laws and regulations, so that it plays an important role in filling the emptiness and legal obscurity.

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Examples of adagium in law

To understand how adagium plays a role in the practice of law, the following is an example of adagium commonly used by experts and legal practitioners:

1. No one suffered punishment
   Meaning: no one can be punished for what he thinks

2. Sleep at any time, never die
   Meaning: the law sometimes sleeps, but the law never dies

3. That is proof that he said, not who denied
   Meaning: The burden of evidence is based on people who assign accusations not to deny.

4. Equality before the law
   Meaning: Everyone is at the same position in law

5. Let just justice become a paradise
   Meaning: Justice must be upheld, even though the sky will collapse

6. No punishment without debt
   Meaning: There is no law without error

7. Ignorance of law is not a reason
   Meaning: ignorance of the law cannot be forgiven

8. Judges must judge according to accusations and tested
   Meaning: A judge must give an assessment based on facts and statements

9. Special law insulting general law
   Meaning: Specific laws exclude general law

10. Like the same
    Meaning: In the same case must be decided with the same thing, not favoritism

11. Where the company is Justicia
    Meaning: where there are people, there are laws

12. One witness without witnesses
    Meaning: One witness, is not a witness

13. Assumption
    Meaning: Everyone is considered to know the law

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Adagium in everyday life

In addition to the legal context, adagium is also present in daily life to convey the moral values or the principle of life that is universal. The following is an adagium in everyday life:

1. That taste is not a debate
   Meaning: Regarding tastes cannot be debated

2. So you can reap so
   Meaning: Whoever plants something will be the one who will reap the results.

3. Better to take than to make an injury
   Meaning: Better to experience injustice than to do injustice

4. Voice of people
   Meaning: The voice of the people is the voice of God

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The importance of understanding adagium in the world of education and law

After understanding the function and purpose of the legal adagium, it can be concluded that understanding adagium is not just recognizing ancient proverbs, but can be used to create just and dignified law enforcement.

In the world of education, especially in the field of law, adagium plays a crucial role as a basis for thinking and consideration in analyzing and resolving legal issues. When building an argument, adagium is used to strengthen the proposition by referring to the principles that have been widely recognized and tested by time. Its function as an elegant and substantial rhetoric tool makes the legal argument more weighty and convincing, because it is based on universal legal wisdom.

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(This article has been edited by the perqara editorial team)

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1. Zalfa Diniyah, “Legal Children Must Know! Let’s Get to know 8 Adagium in Law”, Indonesian Law Literacy, accessed on August 8, 2025.