Reason
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia · John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
That power by which we distinguish truth from falsehood and right from wrong, and by which we are enabled to combine means for the attainment of particular ends. Encyclopedic; Shelf. Lun. Introd. xx vi. Ratio in jure wquitas Integra. A man deprived of reason is not, in many cases, criminally responsible for his acts, nor can he enter into any contract. Reason is called the soul of the law; for when the reason ceases the law itself ceases.
Co. Litt. 97, 183: 1 Bla. Com. 70: 7 Toullier, n. 506; Maxims, Cessante ratione t etc.