sānctus¹

Sacer (ἄγος) denotes that which is sacred, inasmuch as it belongs to the gods, in opp. to profanus, like ἱερός; whereas sanctus (from ἁγνός) inasmuch as it is under the protection of the gods, and, being guarded from profanation, is, in consequence, pure and spotless, in opp. to pollutus, like ὅσιος. Hence sanctus homo is a pure, pious man; sacer, one accursed, devoted to the gods as an expiatory sacrifice. In the same manner sancire means to place under the immediate protection of the gods, as laws and compacts, for example; whereas sacrare means to dedicate to the gods, as temples and altars, for example. (iii. 198.)

1. Bonus, bene moratus, probus, and frugi, denote a low degree of morality, in which a man keeps himself free from blame and punishment, hatred and contempt:—bonus (anciently duonus, δύναμαι), in the popular sense, in which benevolence and goodness of heart constitute the principal part of morality, in opp. to malus, like ἀγαθός; bene moratus, in a more philosophical sense, as an acquired character, in which, before all things, self-control, conscientiousness, and freedom from common selfishness are cultivated, like εὔτροπος, probus πραΰς), so far as a man injures no one, nor does what is unjust, as a worthy, upright, just man; frugi, so far as a man, by discretion, conscientiousness, and diligence, qualifies himself to be useful in practical life, in opp. to nequam, like χρηστός. Quintil. vi. 4, 11. Non est altercandi ars . . . res animi jacentis et mollis supra modum frontis, fallitque plerumque quod probitas vocatur, quæ est imbecillitas. Dic. Dejot. 10. Frugi hominem dici non multum laudis habet in rege. Quintil. i. 6, 29. 2. Whereas honestus and sanctus denote a higher degree of morality, which, from higher motives, rises above the standard of ordinary men, and what is called social morality; honestus, as an honorable and chivalrous spirit and demeanor, derived from a principle of honor and distinction, in opp. to turpis; sanctus, as a saintly and holy spirit, derived from a principle of piety. (v. 347.)