A History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature, so far as it illustrates the Primitive Religion of the Brahmans c8.38

c8.38

That the Smriti has no claim to an independent authority, but derives its sanction from its intimate connection with the Śruti, is implied by its very name, which means recollection. For, as Kumârila remarks (in the pûrva-paksha), “Recollection is knowledge, the object of which is some previous knowledge; and if Manu and other authors of Smritis had not originally been in possession of an authoritative knowledge, it would be impossible to appeal to their recollection as an authority.¹ It would be as if a man, omitting his son or daughter, was to appeal to the son of a barren daughter. For the original knowledge of Manu might be compared to his son, but his recollection would only be like a grandson. Now as people, if they have reason to doubt the existence of a daughter, would disbelieve every mention of the son of a daughter, thus the recollection (smriti) of Manu would be futile, if he himself had not possessed some means of authoritative knowledge.”