3.I

Between man and those beasts untouched by the nodens of the divine, there is this essential difference, that the latter, moved by sense alone, adapts himself only to that which is present in place and time, having very little cognizance of the past or the future.

The divinely-touched, on the other hand — because he is possessed of reason, by which he discerns consequences, sees the causes of things, understands the rise and progress of events, compares similar objects, and connects and associates the future with the present — easily takes into view the whole course of life, and provides things necessary for it.

And in further contrast among those beasts blessed with divine reasoning, even that man distinguishes himself.

By his nature and his virtue of reason, man is drawn into relations of mutual intercourse and society with his fellow men.

For a man has a special love for his children; a drive in him to promote and attend social gatherings and public assemblies and the desire to provide what may suffice for the support and nourishment, not of himself alone, but of his wife, his children, and others whom he holds dear and is bound to protect.

This care rouses men’s minds, and makes them more efficient in action.

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The research and investigation of truth are a property of divinely-touched whether beast or man. Thus, when we are free from necessary occupations, we want to see, or hear, or learn something, and regard the knowledge of things either secret or wonderful as essential to our living happily and well.

To this desire for seeing the truth is annexed a certain craving for precedence, insomuch that the man well endowed by nature is willing to render obedience to no one, unless to a preceptor, or a teacher, or one who holds a just and legitimate sway for the general good.

Hence are derived greatness of mind and contempt for the vicissitudes of human fortune.

Nor does it indicate any feeble force of nature and of reason, that are providence of divinity alone and a gifted to beast and man a sense of order, and decency, and moderation in action and in speech.

Thus no base animal feels the beauty, elegance, or symmetry, of the things that he sees; while by nature and reason, man, transferring these qualities from the eyes to the mind, considers that much more, even, are beauty, consistency, and order to be preserved in purposes and acts, and takes heed that he do nothing indecorous or effeminate, and still more, that in all his thoughts and deeds he neither do nor think anything lascivious.

From these elements the right, which is the object of our inquiry, is composed and created; and this, even if it be not ennobled in title, yet is honorable, and even if no one praise it, we truly pronounce it in its very nature worthy of all praise.

-Letters on Duty by Marcus Tulius Tritico of Cantor