Cui bono? (Classical Latin: [kui̯ ˈbɔnoː]), in English "to whom is it a benefit?", is a Latin phrase about identifying crime suspects. It expresses the view that crimes are often committed to benefit their perpetrators, especially financially. Which party benefits may not be obvious, and there may be a scapegoat.
Usage
The phrase is a double dative construction. It can also be rendered as cui prodest? ("whom does it profit?") and ad cuius bonum? ("for whose good?").
Background
Another example of Cicero using Cui bono is in his defence of Roscius Amerino, in the Pro Roscio Amerino, once again invoking Cassius as the source: "Let that maxim of Cassius apply."[2]
American sociologist Peter Blau has used the concept of cui bono to differentiate organizations by who has primarily benefited: owners; members; specific others; or the general society.[3]
See also
- Whodunit
- Cherchez la femme
- Follow the money
General:
- Brocard (law)
- List of legal Latin terms
- List of Latin phrases
References
- ^ Karl Felix Halm (1861), John Eyton Bickersteth Mayor (ed.), Cicero's Second Philippic, p. 87
- ^ Cicero, Pro Roscius Amerino 32.3.
- ^ Blau, Peter (1962). Formal Organizations.