Marcus Tullius Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicerowas a Roman philosopher, politician, lawyer, orator, political theorist, consul, and constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the Roman equestrian order, and was one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists...
NationalityRoman
ProfessionStatesman
greatness men guilty
This is the part of a great man, after he has maturely weighed all circumstances, to punish the guilty, to spare the many, and in every state of fortune not to depart from an upright, virtuous conduct.
greatness men inspired
All great men are partially inspired.
reflection government office
It is necessary for a Senator to be thoroughly acquainted with the constitution; and this is a knowledge of the most extensive nature; a matter of science, of diligence, of reflection, without which no Senator can possibly be fit for his office.
men way goodness
Men in no way approach so nearly to the gods as in doing good to men. [Lat., Homines ad deos nulla re propius accedunt, quam salutem hominibus dando.]
grieving opposites mind
This is a proof of a well-trained mind, to rejoice in what is good and to grieve at the opposite. [Lat., Ergo hoc proprium est animi bene constituti, et laetari bonis rebus, et dolere contrariis.]
friends sake dare
They who dare to ask anything of a friend, by their very request seem to imply that they would do anything for the sake of that friend.
freedom power threat
To freemen, threats are impotent. [Lat., Nulla enim minantis auctoritas apud liberos est.]
memories rewards virtue
Of all the rewards of virtue, . . . the most splendid is fame, for it is fame alone that can offer us the memory of posterity.
eye body highest
The eyes, like sentinels, hold the highest place in the body. [Lat., Oculi, tanquam, speculatores, altissimum locum obtinent.]
evil should exes
Of evils one should choose the least. [Lat., Ex malis eligere minima oportere.]
economy revenue
Economy is a great revenue. [Lat., Magnum vectigal est parsimonia.]
drinking men sober
Prudence must not be expected from a man who is never sober. [Lat., Non est ab homine nunquam sobrio postulanda prudentia.]
death wish-to-die care
I do not wish to die: but I care not if I were dead. [Lat., Emori nolo: sed me esse mortuum nihil aestimo.]
death extinction lasts
The last day does not bring extinction to us, but change of place. [Lat., Supremus ille dies non nostri extinctionem sed commutationem affert loci.]