Celsus, Digest, Book XXVI. To know the laws is not to be familiar with their phraseology, but with their force and effect.

The Same, Digest, Book XXVI. Where any question arises as to the intention of the parties in a stipulation, the ambiguity should be interpreted against the stipulator.

Celsus, Digest, Book XXVI. If I stipulate as follows, “Will you appear in court? And if you do not do so, will you deliver a centaur?” the stipulation will be the same as if I had merely promised to appear in court. 1Ad Dig. 45,1,97,1Windscheid: Lehrbuch des Pandektenrechts, 7. Aufl. 1891, Bd. II, § 361, Note 3.I can legally stipulate with you as follows: “Do you promise that you will pay in the name of Titius?” For this is not similar to the stipulation that “Titius will give something,” but under it I can bring an action, if I have any interest; and therefore if Titius is solvent, I can recover nothing under this stipulation, for what interest have I in inducing you to do something, while if you do not do it, I shall be equally sure of my money? 2“Do you promise to pay me ten aurei, if I marry you?” I think that, in this case, after proper cause has been shown, the action can be refused; still, there is not infrequently ground for a stipulation of this kind. The same rule applies where a husband stipulates with his wife in this way, when there is no reference to a dowry.

The Same, Digest, Book XXVI. Anything which has been promised on a certain date can be given or paid immediately, for all the intermediate time is understood to be left free to the promisor for the purpose of making payment.