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
buying wealth certain
Not to be avaricious is money; not to be fond of buying is a revenue; but to be content with our own is the greatest and most certain wealth of all.
steps virtue approach
In the approach to virtue there are many steps.
crush flower envy
It is the stain and disgrace of the age to envy virtue, and to be anxious to crush the very flower of dignity.
believe wish virtue
Fewer possess virtue, than those who wish us to believe that they possess it.
warrior yield giving
Let arms give place to the robe, and the laurel of the warriors yield to the tongue of the orator.
giving tomorrow morrow
To-morrow will give some food for thought.
states taxes
Taxes are the sinews of the state.
swans singing apollo
The swan is not without cause dedicated to Apollo, because foreseeing his happiness in death, he dies with singing and pleasure.
song sweet eye
Death darkens his eyes, and unplumes his wings, Yet the sweetest song is the last he sings: Live so, my Love, that when death shall come, Swan-like and sweet it may waft thee home.
eye ears watches
Without your knowledge, the eyes and ears of many will see and watch you, as they have done already.
home adversity night
These (literary) studies are the food of youth, and consolation of age; they adorn prosperity, and are the comfort and refuge of adversity; they are pleasant at home, and are no incumbrance abroad; they accompany us at night, in our travels, and in our rural retreats.
slavery sometimes should
He is sometimes slave who should be master; and sometimes master who should be slave.
secret enmity secrecy
Secret enmities are more to be feared than open ones.
prudence
Prudence is the knowledge of things to be sought, and those to be shunned.