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
art natural-talent discipline
Let art, then, imitate nature, find what she desires, and follow as she directs. For in invention nature is never last, education never first; rather the beginnings of things arise from natural talent, and ends are reached by discipline.
men enemy
A man has no worse enemy than himself.
genius industry
Genius is fostered by industry.
thinking feelings wish
If you wish to persuade me, you must think my thoughts, feel my feelings, and speak my words.
gains nerves strain
Strain every nerve to gain your point.
numbers weight regard
It has seemed to be more necessary to have regard to the weight of words rather than to their number.
men self body
Be sure that it is not you that is mortal, but only your body. For that man whom your outward form reveals is not yourself; the spirit is the true self, not that physical figure which and be pointed out by your finger.
mistake men fool
Any man can make a mistake; only a fool keeps making the same one.
history historical goes-on
Please go on, make your threats. I don't like to submit to mere implication.
animal hands history
When confronted by a hungry wolf, it is unwise to goad the beast, as Cato would have us do. But it is equally unwise to imagine the snarling animal a friend and offer your hand, as Pompey does." "Perhaps you would have us climb a tree!
men practice profession
Let a man practice the profession which he best knows.
men liberty slavery
Too much liberty leads both men and nations to slavery.
evil republic may
How great an evil do you see that may have been announced by you against the Republic? - Videtis quantum scelus contra rem publicam vobis nuntiatum sit?
age body youth
A youth of sensuality and intemperance delivers over to old age a worn-out body.