Equitable maxims are certain broad, general principles generally accepted, and of fundamental importance. Maxims are found both in law and in equity. Legal maxims were at one time very highly regarded, but recently have been largely disregarded. Equitable maxims are at the present time of much greater importance than the legal ones.

'The maxims of equity possess a peculiar value not attaching to those of law, because the former are 'the fruitful germs from which these doctrines and rules (of equity) have grown, by a process of natural evolution.' Around these maxims, too, there have accumulated a vast number of decisions which construe them; and to collect and interpret these cases in connection with the maxims which they interpret is one of the chief purposes of this article." 1

There are thirteen principal equitable maxims, which will be considered in order.