摘要： 根据历史资料，民法上的债最早起源于古代西亚地区文明中基于买卖契约和借贷契约的欠物或者欠钱；中国法上的债起源于基于借贷契约和买卖契约的欠钱或者欠物；罗马法上的债起源于具有私犯性质的罚金责任。债与责任关系的发展经历了不同历史时期，表现为五种不同的形态：债务与责任联系；债务与责任融合；债务与责任区别；责任与债结合；责任与债分离。债与责任关系的理论和法律义务与法律责任关系的理论有联系，也有区别。债与责任关系的历史和现状说明，民事责任与其他法律责任既有共同性，又有特殊性。明确债与责任的关系，对于推进我国民事立法科学化和正确司法均有现实意义。

关键词: 债的起源, 责任的起源, 债与担保, 债与责任的关系

Abstract: Based on the materials of world history, the definition of Obligation in modern civil law originated from the breach of sale contract and loan contract in the ancient western Asian civilized countries; so was the origin of obligation in Chinese Law. However, this definition in Roman law has its origin in the penal institution which in nature is a kind of private delict. The relationship of Obligation and Liability experienced many historic eras in terms of following categories, namely nexus, mixture, distinction, connection and separation. The theory of obligation and liability is not only connected with the theory of legal duty and liability, but also differentiates from the later. The historic development and current situation of the relationship of obligation and liability demonstrate that civil liability has not only similarities with other legal liabilities but also has its own special characteristics. It is of great significance to put forward the civil legislation and judiciary decision making by means of demarcating the relationship of obligation and liability.

Key words: Origin of Obligation, Origin of Liability, Obligation and Guarantee, Relationship of Obligation and Liability