But on what is it based? What is it that lends force to this command? This is the old and difficult problem with which man is still to-day confronted. For, on the other side, we hear Egoism crying with a loud voice: Neminem juva, immo omnes, si forte conducit, laede (help nobody, but rather injure all people, if it brings you any advantage); nay more, Malice gives us the variant: Immo omnes, quantum potes, laede (but rather injure all people as far as you can). To bring into the lists a combatant equal, or rather superior to Egoism and Malice combined — this is the task of all Ethics. Heic Rhodus, heic salta!

The division of human duty into two classes has long been recognised, and no doubt owes its origin to the nature of morality itself.

We have. (1) the duties ordained by law