[IAUOLENUS libro primo epistularum. ]
[JAVOLENUS, from the first book of Epistles.] An amount of money which you owed me unconditionally, you promised, by my order, to Attius under a condition.
§12.1.36.prPecuniam, quam mihi sine condicione debebas, iussu meo promisisti Attio sub condicione: cum pendente condicione in eo statu sit obligatio tua aduersus me, tamquam sub contrariam condicionem eam mihi spopondisti, si pendente condicione petam, an nihil acturus sum? respondit: non dubito, quin mea pecunia, quam ipse sine condicione stipulatus sum, etiam si condicio in persona Attii, qui ex mea uoluntate eandem pecuniam sub condicione stipulatus est, non extiterit, credita esse permaneat (perinde est enim, ac si nulla stipulatio interuenisset): pendente autem causa condicionis idem petere non possum, quoniam, cum incertum sit, an ex ea stipulatione deberi possit, ante tempus petere uideor.
Since, while the condition is pending, your obligation to me is in such a state as if you had promised it to me under a contrary condition, if I should demand it while the condition is pending, will I effect nothing? He answered: I do not doubt that my money, which I myself had stipulated for unconditionally, remains a loan, even if the condition does not occur in the person of Attius, who with my consent stipulated for the same money under a condition (for it is just as if no stipulation had intervened). However, while the condition is pending, I cannot demand the same money, because, since it is uncertain whether it can be owed under that stipulation, I am deemed to demand it before the time.