Chapter I — Propositions condemned by Alexander VII and Innocent XI

I. When litigants have on their side opinions equally probable, the judge may accept money for handing down sentence in favour of the one rather than the other. This is the 26th of Alexander VII.

II. It is lawful for a lender to exact something over and above the principal, if he binds himself not to demand back the principal until a certain time. This is the 41st of Alexander VII.

III. It is permitted to steal not only in extreme necessity, but also in grave necessity. This is the 36th of Innocent XI.

IV. Manservants and maidservants of a household may secretly filch from their masters in order to compensate their own labour, which they judge greater than the wage they receive. This is the 37th of Innocent.

V. No one is bound under pain of mortal sin to restore what has been taken away by a number of small thefts, however great the total sum may be. This is the 38th of Innocent.

VI. He who moves or induces another to inflict grave loss upon a third party is not bound to the restitution of the loss so inflicted. This is the 39th of Innocent.

VII. The Mohatra contract is lawful even in respect of the same person, and with a contract of resale entered upon beforehand with the intention of gain. This is the 40th of Innocent.

VIII. Since money counted down is more precious than money to be counted, and since there is no one who does not value present money more highly than future money, a creditor may exact something beyond the principal from the borrower, and on that title be excused from usury. This is the 42nd of Innocent.

IX. It is not usury when something beyond the principal is exacted as owed out of benevolence and gratitude, but only if it is exacted as owed out of justice. This is the 41st of Innocent.