Ein schöner spruch von eynem kauffmann …

Abstract This essay places Martin Maier’s text “Ein schöner Spruch von einem Kaufmann” in the context of the legal development of the new Roman law. The example shows the abuse of the possibility of torture and the reception of the text in the 16th century. Martin Luther also uses the text in his fight against Cardinal Albrecht of Magdeburg, while Pauli sees the cause in the disregard for the merchant’s status.