Chapter VIII.

The word “Duty” has been often used both by philosophers and in the holy Scriptures; from whence it is derived.

25. Since, therefore, the person concerned is one fit to write on the Duties, let us see whether the subject itself stands on the same ground, and whether this word is suitable only to the schools of the philosophers, or is also to be found in the sacred Scriptures. Beautifully has the Holy Spirit, as it happens, brought before us a passage in reading the Gospel to-day, as though He would urge us to write; whereby we are confirmed in our view, that the word officium, “duty,” may also be used with us. For when Zacharias the priest was struck dumb in the temple, and could not speak, it is said: “And it came to pass that as soon as the days of his duty [officii] were accomplished, he departed to his own house.”33    Luke i. 23. The Vulgate has officii; the Greek text reads: τῆς λειτουργίας. We read, therefore, that the word officium, “duty,” can be used by us.

26.34    In this section it is impossible to give the point in a translation, but the passage does not affect the argument. The text runs as follows: “Nec ratio ipsa abhorret, quandoquidem officium ab efficiendo dictum putamus, quasi efficium: sed propter decorem sermonis una immutata litera, officium nuncupari, vel certe, ut ea agas quæ nulli officiant, prosint omnibus.” And this is not inconsistent with reason, since we consider that the word officium (duty) is derived from efficere (to effect), and is formed with the change of one letter for the sake of euphony; or at any rate that you should do those things which injure [officiant] no one, but benefit all.

CAPUT VIII.

Nomen Officii, non solum philosophis, sed etiam scriptoribus sacris usitatum esse; et unde hoc deductum?

25. Ergo quoniam personae conveniunt, videamus utrum res ipsa conveniat scribere de Officiis: et utrum hoc nomen philosophorum tantummodo scholae aptum sit, an etiam in Scripturis reperiatur divinis. Pulchre itaque dum legimus hodie Evangelium 0031B (quasi adhortaretur ad scribendum) Spiritus sanctus obtulit nobis lectionem, qua confirmaremur etiam in nobis Officium dici posse. Nam cum Zacharias sacerdos obmutuisset in templo, et loqui non posset: Factum est, inquit, ut impleti sunt dies Officii ejus, abiit in domum suam (Luc. I, 23). Legimus igitur Officium dici a nobis posse.

9 26. Nec ratio ipsa abhorret, quandoquidem Officium ab efficiendo dictum putamus, quasi efficium: sed propter decorem sermonis una immutata littera, officium nuncupari: vel certe, ut ea agas, quae nulli officiant, prosint omnibus.