Note 2 — X. Virtues and Vices

officium is used of anything which one feels bound to do, either on moral grounds or from a desire to please others (especially those in authority). Thus the word denotes not merely duty, sense of duty, faithful performance of duty, submissiveness (cf. sect. xvi. 13), but also courteous, obliging behaviour, complaisance, mark of respect. Objectively it has the meaning of an office, service, command, e.g. officium maritimum.