venality

government

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July 14, 2026

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The term "venality" refers to the state of being open to improper influence, particularly bribery. It is a form of corruption where something or someone can be bought. This concept is rooted in the Latin word "venum," meaning "for sale".12

In contrast, "venial" describes something pardonable, like a minor sin. The distinction is important: "venal" implies corruption and a lack of integrity, while "venial" suggests a forgivable mistake.2

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France
The growth of a professional bureaucracy
Venality, or the sale of offices, was not novel in early 16th-century France; traces of the practice can be found in the 13th century. But it was Francis I who opened the floodgates. The number of judges proliferated. In the Parlement of Paris alone, the…
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Venality, or the sale of offices, was not novel in early 16th-century France; traces of the practice can be found in the 13th century. But it was Francis I who opened the floodgates. The number of judges proliferated. In the Parlement of Paris alone, the…
Read More