Chap。II
OftheNatureofObligationstobeperformed，inconsequenceofCreditgiven；andofwhatismeantbythetermsregorgingandstagnatingofmoneyWehavealreadysaid，thatallobligationscontractedwithaviewtobeperformedinfuturetime，consistindoingorgivingsomethinginconsiderationofsomethingdoneorgiven。
Whenactionsonlyarestipulatedincontracts，creditinastrictacceptationofthetermislittleconcerned；becausenoadequatesecuritycanbegivenforperforminganaction:suchcontractsstandwhollyuponthewillingnessandcapacityofacting，whichdependmoreuponthepersonthanuponthefacultiesofthedebtor。Tosupplythisdefect，weseepenaltiesusuallystipulatedinsuchcases；whichreducethosecontractstoanalternativeobligationofeitherdoingorgiving。
Weshallthereforethrowouttheconsiderationofthefirstaltogether，asbeingforeigntoourpurpose；andadheretothelater，whichisthetrueobjectofcredit。Again:
Inallobligationstogiveanyparticularthing，thereisconstantlyimpliedanalternativealso；towit，eitherthethingstipulated，orthevalueidquodinterest，accordingtothelawyers:thismustberelativetomoney；whichisthecommonpriceofallthingsincommerceamongmen。