Can anyone tell me what this says in English? : 1) The law ought to prohibit only actions hurtful to ...?

Question

....society. What is not prohibited by the law, should not be hindered; nor should anyone be compelled to that which the law required.

2.) The rights to property being inviolable and sacred, no one ought to be deprived of it, except in cases of evident public necessity, legally ascertained, and on condition of a previous just indemnity.

3.)The law ought to impose no other penalties but such as are absolutley and evidently necessary; and no one ought to be punished, but in virtue of a law promulgated before the offence, and legally applied.

Answer 1

Probably someone CAN tell you what it means in plain language. I might be able to if I wanted to make the effort. This sounds like something a law student would be compelled to answer for some class. Great. JUST Great. Another DAMNED LAWYER in the offing...

Answer 2

1) The law ought to prohibit only actions hurtful to society. What is not prohibited by the law, should not be hindered; nor should anyone be compelled to that which the law required.

Law should only prohibit things that are bad for society. If I kill someone the effect on society is obvious. If I engage in weird sex games behind closed doors the effect on society is questionable at best.

2.) The rights to property being inviolable and sacred, no one ought to be deprived of it, except in cases of evident public necessity, legally ascertained, and on condition of a previous just indemnity.

The right to own property is very important. No one should have property taken from them except when it is necessary for the public good.

3.)The law ought to impose no other penalties but such as are absolutely and evidently necessary; and no one ought to be punished, but in virtue of a law promulgated before the offense, and legally applied.

The punishment must fit the crime and you can not be punished for something that was legal at the time it happened and later became illegal.

Answer 3

Ohhhh ! let me try!
1. The law should only be allowed to prevent really harmful stuff like assault, murder, theft, etc. and leave everybody else alone. Society as a whole shouldn't be able to dictate anything beyond that or tell people how to live their lives.

2. This one apparently doesn't hang with loans against your mortgage. Says you should not ever have your property taken away by debtors or - better yet - the IRS. The only time it's ok is when they need to put a freeway through your property and it is for the general public good.

3. This one is pretty hard - I'm guessing if you steal $20,000 they say just pay back the $20,000 and forgo the prison time or flogging, because wrongs should just be righted without further punishment than necessary? Not really sure about this one so that's a guess.

Answer 4

The key word here is OUGHT = SHOULD

1) The law SHOULD should only stop people from doing bad things to anyone. So everything else shouldn't be stopped. And the law shouldn't force people to stop them from doing things that don't hurt other people.

2)Everyone has a right to own property (land, stuff). Except when the public needs it and is legally obtained. <-- in terms of the law.

3) The punishment should fit the crime. Stealing = warning. Murder = prison/death (this part can depend on society values and the person who perceives it). And everyone's innocent until proven guilty.

Answer 5

1 Means that you can do anything that isn't specifically stated in the law and no one can stop you from doing things that aren't against the law.
2 Means that belongings cannot be taken away unless they are legally taken(by the police)
3 means that no penalties should occur other than those needed to keep a civil society and no one is to be punished for a crime before he is found guilty.

Answer 6

the title means that the what is not prohibited by law should not stopped from doing as long is accepted by the law. like for example walking in the side walk is not illegal so you shount be stopped from walking by the law.
2.that your property should not be violated only if the justice system has neccessity to check your property if you are violating a law with it.
3.that law should not accuse you of doing something if they dont have enough evidence. They law should have evidence. what you think?

Answer 7

Generally speaking, it seems to me that it is saying there should only be laws that are applicable to the society. I'm thinking that specific laws like - no hitchhiking - shouldn't be a law. That only laws necessary for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness should apply - like no stealing or no killing. Not stuff like keep off the grass or no trespassing or no smoking marijuana or no profanity - what do they have to do with running a society?

Answer 8

If I'm not mistaken all of that Is written in English and you need to get out the Dictionary and Roget's Thesaurus. Those two books by themselves Will help keep you out of trouble in English and Law classes.

Keep it Simple, Stupid!!

Answer 9

1. the law prohibits you from doing anything illegal
2. respect public property, its not yours, its everyones
3. if you break the law, the punishment wont be inhuman, only rightful to the crime done

Answer 10

Just read the damn thing! Law is so easy to understand if you just read it. And, it's already in English.