Note B — BOOK I MORAL GOODNESS

Cicero's technical terms are difficult because he has to invent them to translate Greek that is perfectly simple:

rectum is 'right,' i.e. perfect, absolute. Its opposite is medium, 'mean,' i.e. intermediate, falling short of the 'absolute' and occupying a middle ground; common; ordinary.

honestum is 'morally right'; as a noun, 'moral goodness' (= honestas); its opposite is turpe, 'morally wrong.'

honestas is 'moral rectitude,'—'moral goodness'; 'morality'; its opposite turpitudo, 'moral wrong,' 'immorality.'

honestus, on the other hand, is always 'honourable'; and honores are always 'offices of honour.'