128 On the UTILITY of defining 
The obligation mentioned in this laft example refts upon the 
complete fupply afforded in refpe& to the objec defired. It 
muift not, at the fame time, be under(tood, that the fupply de- 
noted by copia, is always much more than adequate to the exi- 
gency. The term cannot be applied where there is any want, 
but it occupies all the interval between the mere abfence of 
this and that exuberance, which fuggefts a quantity more than 
adequate to any poflible demand. “ Minimam copiam poetarum 
“ esregiorum extitiffe *.” Though there was no want of diftin- 
guifhed poets at the period referred to, yet there was the {malleft 
number to which copia could be applied. “ Ex majore copia nobis 
“ quam illi fuit eligendi poteftas +.” The major copia is here op- 
pofed to the minor,and the exiftence of that latitude clearly proved, 
in which it has been faid that the fubftantive is taken. In the 
one cafe, copia denotes what minifters to the gratification of the 
caprice, and in the other, to the full fupply of the wants of 
mankind. 
ABuNDANTIA differs from copia, in denoting greater plenty, 
and in implying that the object to which it is afcribed, pofleffes 
more than fufficient means for fatisfying any want. It comes 
from ab and unda, and has at firft referred to a river when over- 
flowing its banks. 
Preefertim incertis fi menfibus, amnis abundans 
Exit, et obduéto late tenet omnia limo f. 
“ Circumfluere omnibus copiis atque in omnium rerum abun- 
‘© dantia vivere §.” In the climax formed in this fentence, the 
laft fubftantive denotes fomething beyond the fatisfaction of 
want. It expreffes fomewhat to fpare, which would be loft if 
not ufed. ‘“ Non erat abundans, non inops tamen**. CicERO 
here 
* Cic. de Or. 85. 6. § Cic. de Am. 52. 
t Cic, de Inv, 62. 4 ** Cic, in Brut. 238. 
t Virg. Georg. I. 115. 
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