[IDEM libro sexto disputationum. ] §40.5.46.prFideicommissa libertas ita potest dari: 'heres, si uolueris, fidei tuae committo, ut Stichum manumittas', quamuis nihil aliud in testamento potest ualere ex nutu heredis.
[THE SAME in the sixth book of discussions.] A liberty under trust can be given in this way: "Heir, if you wish, I commit to your trust that you manumit Stichus", although nothing else in a testament can be valid at the nod of the heir.
§40.5.46.1Plane et ita 'si Stichus uoluerit' potest ei libertas adscribi.
Clearly, also in this way, "if Stichus wishes", liberty can be assigned to him.
§40.5.46.2Sed et si ita adscriptum sit 'si Seius uoluerit, Stichum liberum esse uolo', mihi uidetur posse dici ualere libertatem, quia condicio potius est, quemadmodum si mihi legatum esset, si Titius Capitolium ascenderit.
But even if it is assigned in this way, "if Seius wishes, I wish Stichus to be free", it seems to me that it can be said that the liberty is valid, because it is rather a condition, just as if a legacy had been left to me on the condition "if Titius ascends the Capitol".
§40.5.46.3Quod si ita scriptum sit 'si heres uoluerit', non ualebit, sed ita demum, si totum in uoluntate fecit heredis, si ei libuerit.
But if it is written "if the heir wishes", it will not be valid; but only if he made everything depend on the will of the heir, if it should please him.
ceterum si arbitrium illi quasi uiro bono dedit, non dubitabimus, quin libertas debeatur: nam et eam libertatem deberi placuit 'si tibi uidebitur, peto manumittas': ita enim hoc accipiendum 'si tibi quasi uiro bono uidebitur'.
On the other hand, if he gave him the decision as if to a good man, we shall not doubt that the liberty is due; for it has been accepted that even that liberty is due: "if it seems good to you, I ask that you manumit him"; for this is to be understood in this way: "if it seems good to you as if to a good man".
nam et ita relictum 'si uoluntatem meam probaueris' puto deberi: quemadmodum 'si te meruerit' quasi uirum bonum uel 'si te non offenderit' quasi uirum bonum uel 'si comprobaueris' uel 'si non reprobaueris' uel 'si dignum putaueris'.
For I think that what is left in this way, "if you approve of my will", is also due; just as "if he has deserved well of you" as if of a good man, or "if he has not offended you" as if of a good man, or "if you have approved", or "if you have not disapproved", or "if you have thought him worthy".
nam et cum quidam Graecis uerbis ita fideicommissum dedisset: τῷ δεῖνι, ἐὰν δοκιμάσῃς, ἐλευθερίαν δοθῆναι βούλομαι, a diuo Seuero rescriptum est fideicommissum peti posse.
For also when someone had given a trust in Greek words in this way: "To so-and-so, if you approve, I wish liberty to be given", it was rescribed by the deified Severus that the trust could be claimed.
§40.5.46.4Quamquam autem in heredis arbitrium conferri, an debeatur, non possit, quando tamen debeatur, conferri potest.
Although, however, it cannot be conferred upon the decision of the heir whether it is due, yet it can be conferred when it is due.
§40.5.46.5Quidam, cum tres seruos legasset, fidei heredis sui commisit, ut ex his duos quos uellet manumitteret: fideicommissa libertas ualebit et quos ex his uellet, heres manumittet: quare si eos uindicaret legatarius, quos heres uult manumittere, exceptione doli repelletur.
A certain person, having legacy-bequeathed three slaves, committed to the trust of his heir that he should manumit two of them whom he wished; the liberty under trust will be valid, and the heir will manumit those of them whom he wishes; therefore, if the legatee should claim those whom the heir wishes to manumit, he will be repelled by the exception of fraud.