26. 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.