Yeah, another great latin phrase…
Because if it’s Latin there must be meaning beyond meaning.
I wonder whether you read the linked article. Cause, wouldn’t you be embarrassed to use it then? A phrase from the late, late Roman empire, that the terrific idea obviously didn’t prevent from falling, largely in use in humanistic imperial societies, even manufacturing guns referencing the phrase, doesn’t make you pause?
gotta admit, I haven’t worked out that part fully yet, but there’s probably multiple layers. What you describe inherent in police and mafia, is a different kind of morality, an honour code, it can be contrary to the general morality, I’d say. And the aristocracy, or people completely beyond the law, they can make it up as they go along.
Morality is something a class society continuously reproduces to manage the contradictions it faces on a day to day basis. It’s a fabric that gives you that guilty feeling when you’re not practicing the same self control the rest of society exercises and demands. A lot of control is regulated by law of course, then guilt becomes more than just a feeling. But many things don’t need to be dealt with by the legislature: you comply because you don’t want to be a social outcast.
At the top, it’s a bit different, they don’t need that kind of voluntary self control. Often, this becomes admired by those who see themselves as temporarily embarrassed millionaires.
of course you’d find it relevant, because you’ve been reading it over and over