1. Benigne faciendae sunt interpretationes chartarum, ut res magis valeat quam pereat; et quaelibet concessio fortissime contra donatorem interpretanda est. Deeds should be subject to liberal interpretation, so that the matter may take effect rather than fail; and every grant is to be taken most strongly against the grantor.
  2. Charta de non ente non valet. A deed of a thing not in being is not valid.
  3. Charta non est nisi vestimentum donationis. A deed is nothing else than the vestment (or clothing) of a gift.
  4. Chartarum super fidem, mortuis testibus, ad patriam de necessitudine recurrendum est. (A dispute) regarding the veracity of deeds, with the witnesses dead, must necessarily be referred to the country (or jury).
  5. In traditionibus scriptorum (chartarum) non quod dictum est, sed quod gestum (factum) est, inspicitur. In the delivery of writings (deeds), not what is said but what is done is to be considered.
  6. Locatio sine mercede certa contrahi non potest. A lease cannot be contracted without a settled price. Dig. 24.1.52pr.
  7. Traditio loqui facit chartam. Delivery makes the deed (document) speak.
  8. Verba chartarum fortius accipiuntur contra proferentem. The words of deeds are taken most strongly against the person offering them.
  9. Voluntas donatoris in charta doni sui manifeste expressa observetur. The will of the donor, if clearly expressed in the deed of his gift, should be observed.
  10. Voluntas reputatur pro facto. The will is to be taken for the deed.