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
fall flower roots
True glory strikes root, and even extends itself; all false pretensions fall as do flowers, nor can any feigned thing be lasting.
peace war civil-war
For to me every sort of peace with the citizens seemed to be of more service than civil war.
law matter opinion
But in every matter the consensus of opinion among all nations is to be regarded as the law of nature.
modesty obedience worthy
He who obeys with modesty appears worthy of being some day a commander.
comfort misery
The comfort derived from the misery of others is slight.
art medicine sick
Because all the sick do not recover, therefore medicine is not an art.
pride might know-yourself
The precept, "Know yourself," was not solely intended to obviate the pride of mankind; but likewise that we might understand our own worth.
mean things-in-life leisure
The most desirable thing in life after health and modest means is leisure with dignity.
lying eye men
For every man's nature is concealed with many folds of disguise, and covered as it were with various veils. His brows, his eyes, and very often his countenance, are deceitful, and his speech is most commonly a lie.
honor trying praise
There is no praise in being upright, where no one can, or tries to corrupt you.
way sides world
From all sides there is equally a way to the lower world.
world immortal
Ye immortal gods! where in the world are we?
friends perfect faithful
There is no treasure the which may be compared unto a faithful friend; Gold some decayeth, and worldly wealth consumeth, and wasteth in the winde; But love once planted in a perfect and pure minde indureth weale and woe; The frownes of fortune, come they never so unkinde, cannot the same overthrowe.
men fortune
It is fortune, not wisdom, that rules man's life.