Salus reipublicae suprema lex

The welfare of the state is the highest law. The idea that in effect the morality of corporations is opportunism pure and simple was anciently embodied in the maxim, and its doctrine should be very sparingly resorted to by a state which has a written constitution or by a business corporation created by a written charter. Cook v American Tubing & Webbing Co. 28 RI 41, 65 A 641.