27. The
philosophers considered that duties Cic. de
Off. I. 3, § 9. were derived
from what is virtuous and what is useful, and that from these two one
should choose the better. Then, they say, it may happen that two
virtuous or two useful things will clash together, and the question is,
which is the more virtuous, and which the more useful? First,
therefore, “duty” is divided into three sections:
what is virtuous, what is useful, and what is the better of two.
Then, again, these three are divided into five classes; that is, two
that are virtuous, two that are useful, and, lastly, the right judgment
as to the choice between them. The first they say has to do with
the moral dignity and integrity of life; the second with the
conveniences of life,
with wealth, resources, opportunities; whilst a right judgment must
underlie the choice of any of them. This is what the philosophers
say. Cic. de
Off. I. 3.