The Encounter of Greece and Rome with the Jews, Egyptians, and Others.
“Iuri operam daturum prius nosse oportet, unde nomen iuris descendat. Est autem a iustitia
appellatum: nam, ut eleganter Celsus definit, ius est ars boni et aequi. Cuius merito quis
nos sacerdotes appellet: iustitiam namque colimus et boni et aequi notitiam profitemur,
aequum ab iniquo separantes, licitum ab illicito discernentes.
—Digesta 1.1.1.1 (533 A.D.).
A law student at the beginning of his studies should know whence the term “ius” comes. It
is derived from justice. For, in the elegant words of Celsus (ca. 100 C.E.), “ius” is the art of
the good and the equitable. Consequently, we jurists are called priests because we cultivate
justice, and we seek knowledge of the good and the equitable. We mark the difference
between equitable and inequitable and determine what is licit and illicit.”
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