No one can owe a debt to himself.

Explanation

Obligation requires two distinct parties — a man cannot be both creditor and debtor of the same claim.

Where this applies

• Can a company claim it owes itself money to write off as a business expense?
• The government claims the People owe a debt to the government that created the debt.

See also

• 6.3.2 A contract is, as it were, act for act — a reciprocal exchange.