Cui Bono Definition

kwē bōnō

noun

Utility, advantage, or self-interest considered as the determinant of value or motivation.

American Heritage

The principle that the ultimate initiator of an action is likely he who stands to gain from the action.

Wiktionary

phrase

For whose benefit? i.e., who stands to gain from this?

Webster's New World

To what purpose? i.e., of what utility is this?

Webster's New World

Origin of Cui Bono

From Latin cui bonō (est) for whom (it is) of advantage cui dative of quī who bonō dative of bonum advantage

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Latin cui est bono? (“To whom is it a benefit?”)

From Wiktionary
L, lit., to whom for a good

From Webster's New World College Dictionary, 5th Edition

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