[SCAEUOLA libro quarto responsorum. ] §33.1.13.prMaeuia nepotem ex Maeuio puberem heredem instituit et Lucio Titio ita legauit: 'Lucio Titio uiro bono, cuius obsequio gratias ago, dari uolo annuos quamdiu uiuat aureos decem, si rebus nepotis mei interueniat omnemque administrationem rerum nepotis mei ad sollicitudinem suam reuocauerit'. quaero, cum Lucius Titius aliquo tempore Maeuii negotia gesserit et per eum non stet, quo minus gerat, Publius autem Maeuius nollet eum administrare, an fideicommissum praestari debeat.
[SCAEVOLA, book four of Responses.] Maevia appointed her adult grandson by Maevius as her heir, and made the following bequest to Lucius Titius: "I wish that ten aurei be given annually for as long as he lives to Lucius Titius, a good man, for whose services I am grateful, provided that he concerns himself with the affairs of my grandson and brings the entire administration of my grandson's affairs under his own care." I ask, since Lucius Titius managed Maevius's business for some time, and it is not due to him that he does not manage it, but Publius Maevius did not want him to administer it, whether the trust ought to be performed.
respondi, si non propter fraudem aliamue quam iustam causam improbandae operae causa remotus esset a negotiis, quae administrare secundum defuncti uoluntatem uellet, percepturum legatum.
I replied that if he was not removed from the affairs—which he wished to administer in accordance with the will of the deceased—by reason of fraud or some other just cause for disapproving of his service, he would receive the legacy.
§33.1.13.1Uxore herede scripta ita cauit: 'libertis meis omnibus alimentorum nomine singulis annuos denarios duodecim ab herede dari uolo, si ab uxore mea non recesserint'. quaero, cum pater familias sua uoluntate de ciuitate difficile profectus sit, ea autem adsidue proficiscatur, an liberti cum ea proficisci debeant.
Having written his wife as heir, he made the following provision: "I wish that twelve denarii be given annually to each of all my freedmen from the heir under the title of maintenance, provided they do not depart from my wife." I ask, when the father of the family by his own will seldom left the city, whereas she departs frequently, whether the freedmen ought to depart with her.
respondi non posse absolute responderi, cum multa oriri possint, quae pro bono sint aestimanda: ideoque huiusmodi uarietas uiri boni arbitrio dirimenda est.
I replied that a categorical answer cannot be given, since many circumstances may arise which must be evaluated in accordance with what is fair and good; therefore, a variation of this kind must be settled by the decision of a good man.
item quaeritur, cum proficiscens eis nihil amplius optulerit ac per hoc eam secuti non sint, an legatum debeatur.
It is also asked, when she, upon departing, offered them nothing further, and because of this they did not follow her, whether the legacy is due.
respondit et hoc ex longinquis breuibusque excursionibus et modo legati aestimandum esse.
He replied that this also must be evaluated from the perspective of whether the excursions are long or short, and the amount of the legacy.