The text here runs as follows: “Considera, O homo, unde nomen sumseris; ab humo utique.”
Editorial footnote · On the Duties of the Clergy, Chapter III., editorial note cite_note-3 · Original source
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On the Duties of the Clergy — Historical footnotes
Chapter III.
Complete historical editorial footnotes. These notes retain the original edition’s wording; individual note authors are unspecified.
English translation and editorial credits: Augustus Henry Eugene de Romestin, Eugene de Romestin (assistant), Henry Thomas Forbes Duckworth (assistant).
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16. Think, O man, from whence thou hast received thy name—even from the earth, which takes nothing from any one, but gives freely to all, and supplies varied produce for the use of all living things. Hence humanity is called a particular and innate virtue in man, for it assists its partner.
Ps. xxxvii. [xxxvi.] 21.
Editorial footnote · On the Duties of the Clergy, Chapter III., editorial note cite_note-11 · Original source
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21. It is in this very matter that we stand before all other living creatures, for they do not understand how to do good. Wild beasts snatch away, men share with others. Wherefore the Psalmist says: “The righteous showeth mercy and giveth.” There are some, however, to whom the wild beasts do good. They feed their young with what they get, and the birds satisfy their brood with food; but to men alone has it been given to feed all as though they were their own. That is so in accordance with the claims of nature. And if it is not lawful to refuse to give, how is it lawful to deprive another? And do not our very laws teach us the same? They order those things which have been taken from others with injury to their persons or property to be restored with additional recompense; so as to check the thief from stealing by the penalty, and by the fine to recall him from his ways.