Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

quis custodiat ipsos custodes

Latin phrase

kwis kuh-stoh-dee-aht ip-sos kuh-stoh-dess

Definition

Who will guard the guards themselves?

Examples

The phrase ‘quis custodiet ipsos custodes’ is often cited in discussions about government accountability.
In a democracy, the question of ‘quis custodiet ipsos custodes’ leads to debates on checks and balances.

Meaning

This phrase questions how those in power or authority can be held accountable and suggests that oversight is necessary for those who enforce rules or govern.