University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
  
expand section 
  
expand section 
  

expand section1. 
expand section2. 
expand section3. 
expand section4. 
expand section5. 
expand section6. 
expand section7. 
expand section8. 
expand section9. 
expand section10. 
expand section11. 
expand section12. 
expand section13. 
expand section14. 
expand section15. 
expand section16. 
expand section17. 
expand section18. 
expand section19. 
expand section20. 
expand section21. 
expand section22. 
expand section23. 
expand section24. 
expand section25. 
expand section26. 
expand section27. 
expand section28. 
collapse section29. 
expand section29.1. 
collapse section29.2. 
2. The same Subject continued.
  
  
 29.3. 
 29.4. 
expand section29.5. 
expand section29.6. 
expand section29.7. 
expand section29.8. 
expand section29.10. 
expand section29.10. 
expand section29.11. 
expand section29.12. 
expand section29.13. 
expand section29.14. 
expand section29.15. 
expand section29.16. 
expand section29.17. 
 29.18. 
expand section29.19. 
expand section30. 
expand section31. 

29.2. 2. The same Subject continued.

Cecilius, in Aulus Gellius, [2] speaking of the law of the Twelve Tables which permitted the creditor to cut the insolvent debtor into pieces, justifies it even by its cruelty, which hindered people from borrowing beyond their ability of paying. [3] Shall then the cruellest laws be the best? Shall goodness consist in excess, and all the relations of things be destroyed?

Footnotes

[2]

Book xx. 1.

[3]

Cecilius says that he never saw nor read of an instance in which this punishment had been inflicted; but it is likely that no such punishment was ever established: the opinion of some civilians, that the law of the Twelve Tables meant only the division of the money arising from the sale of the debtor, seems very probable.