- Source
- Digesta Iustiniani Augusti. Mommsen, Theodor & Krueger, Paul, editors. Berlin: Weidmann, 1870.
- Translation
- AI-generated (gemini-3.5-flash) — machine translation; may contain errors
- Languages
- 日本語 · English · 简体中文 · 한국어
- CTS URN
- urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:5.1.35.pr
- Generated
- Humanitext Reader · reader.humanitext.ai · 2026-11-10
Explains the legal principle that while a surety's obligation can be established in advance for a future debt, a trial cannot be initiated in suspense or for a debt that has not yet arisen.
[IDEM libro decimo epistularum.]
[THE SAME, Letters, Book X.]
Non quemadmodum fideiussoris obligatio in pendenti potest esse et uel in futurum concipi, ita iudicium in pendenti potest esse uel de his rebus quae postea in obligationem aduenturae sunt. nam neminem puto dubitaturum, quin fideiussor ante obligationem rei1 accipi possit: iudicium uero, antequam aliquid debeatur, non posse.2
Just as the obligation of a surety can be in suspense and even be contracted for the future, a trial cannot in the same way be in suspense, or be brought concerning those things which are later to become an obligation. For I think no one will doubt that a surety can be accepted before the obligation of the principal debtor; but a trial, indeed, cannot be brought before something is owed.
- 5.1.35.prrei
Here, 'reus' refers to the 'principal debtor' (reus promittendi) as opposed to the surety (fideiussor). Therefore, the genitive 'rei' means 'of the principal debtor.'
- 5.1.35.prnon posse
While the preceding clause is governed by 'quin' with the subjunctive 'possit', the structure shifts after 'iudicium uero' into an accusative and infinitive construction (subject accusative 'iudicium' and infinitive 'posse') governed by 'puto'. Semantically, an infinitive like 'accipi' (to be accepted) or 'in pendenti esse' (to be in suspense) is understood.