Memorable Quotes and quotations from CiceroCicero Roman author, orator, & politician (106 BC - 43 BC)Cicero - - Reason should direct and appetite obey. Cicero - - The absolute good is not a matter of opinion but of nature. Cicero - - In so far as the mind is stronger than the body, so are the ills contracted by the mind more severe than those contracted by the body. Cicero - Orator - If a man aspires to the highest place, it is no dishonor to him to halt at the second, or even at the third. Cicero - - The name of peace is sweet, and the thing itself is beneficial, but there is a great difference between peace and servitude. Peace is freedom in tranquillity, servitude is the worst of all evils, to be resisted not only by war, but even by death. Cicero - - Where is there dignity unless there is honesty? Cicero - - By doubting we come at truth. Cicero - De Amicitia - The shifts of Fortune test the reliability of friends. Cicero - - There is no being of any race who, if he finds the proper guide, cannot attain to virtue. Cicero - - To each his own. (Suum Cuique) Cicero - - No one can speak well, unless he thoroughly understands his subject. Cicero - Pro Publio Sestio - History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity. Cicero - - A happy life consists in tranquillity of mind. Cicero - - Force overcome by force. (Vi Victa Vis) Cicero - - 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. Cicero - - Liberty is rendered even more precious by the recollection of servitude. Cicero - - Let arms give place to the robe, and the laurel of the warriors yield to the tongue of the orator. Cicero - - A mind without instruction can no more bear fruit than can a field, however fertile, without cultivation. Cicero - - It is a true saying that "One falsehood leads easily to another". Cicero - - There is nothing so absurd but some philosopher has said it. Cicero - De Legibus - Let the punishment match the offense. Cicero - - Anyone who has got a book collection and a garden wants for nothing. Cicero - - We must not say every mistake is a foolish one. Cicero - - The wise are instructed by reason; ordinary minds by experience; the stupid, by necessity; and brutes by instinct. Cicero - - A life of peace, purity, and refinement leads to a calm and untroubled old age. Cicero - - All action is of the mind and the mirror of the mind is the face, its index the eyes. Cicero - - Not to know what has been transacted in former times is to be always a child. If no use is made of the labors of past ages, the world must remain always in the infancy of knowledge. Cicero - - The strictest law often causes the most serious wrong. Cicero - - Nature herself makes the wise man rich. Cicero - - When you have no basis of argument, abuse the plaintiff. Cicero - - The welfare of the people is the ultimate law. (Salus Populi Suprema Est Lex) Cicero - - There are some duties we owe even to those who have wronged us. There is, after all, a limit to retribution and punishment. Cicero - - It is a great thing to know our vices. Cicero - - Let your desires be ruled by reason. (Appetitus Rationi Pareat) Cicero - - The more laws, the less justice. Cicero - - No liberal man would impute a charge of unsteadiness to another for having changed his opinion. Cicero - - Never go to excess, but let moderation be your guide. Cicero - - There is no duty more obligatory than the repayment of kindness. Cicero - - He only employs his passion who can make no use of his reason. Cicero - - If you aspire to the highest place, it is no disgrace to stop at second, or even the third place. Cicero - - Men decide far more problems by hate, love, lust, rage, sorrow, joy, hope, fear, illusion, or some other inward emotion, than by reality, authority, any legal standard, judicial precedent, or statute. Cicero - - Natural ability without education has more often raised a man to glory and virtue than education without natural ability. Cicero - - He removes the greatest ornament of friendship, who takes away from it respect. Cicero - On Friendship, 44 B.C. - Friendship make prosperity more shining and lessens adversity by dividing and sharing it. Cicero - - The man who backbites an absent friend, nay, who does not stand up for him when another blames him, the man who angles for bursts of laughter and for the repute of a wit, who can invent what he never saw, who cannot keep a secret - that man is black at heart: mark and avoid him. Cicero - - There is nothing so absurd but some philosopher has said it. Cicero - - The evil implanted in man by nature spreads so imperceptibly, when the habit of wrong-doing is unchecked, that he himself can set no limit to his shamelessness. Cicero - - What we call pleasure, and rightly so is the absence of all pain. Cicero - - Our span of life is brief, but is long enough for us to live well and honestly. Cicero - Philippics - Endless money forms the sinews of war. Cicero - - By force of arms. (Vi Et Armis) Cicero - - Strain every nerve to gain your point. Cicero - - What a time! What a civilization! Cicero - - As the old proverb says "Like readily consorts with like." Cicero - Pro Milone - Law stands mute in the midst of arms. Cicero - - Freedom is a possession of inestimable value. Cicero - Pro Publio Sestio - The freedom of poetic license. Cicero - - Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. Cicero - - If you aspire to the highest place, it is no disgrace to stop at the second, or even the third, place. Cicero - - Advice is judged by results, not by intentions. Cicero - De Amicitia - A friend is, as it were, a second self. Cicero - - Our thoughts are free. Cicero - - Whatever that be which thinks, understands, wills, and acts. it is something celestial and divine. Cicero - - Live as brave men; and if fortune is adverse, front its blows with brave hearts. Cicero - - In men of the highest character and noblest genius there is to be found an insatiable desire for honour, command, power, and glory. Cicero - - Neither can embellishments of language be found without arrangement and expression of thoughts, nor can thoughts be made to shine without the light of language. Cicero - - I prefer tongue-tied knowledge to ignorant loquacity. Cicero - - The first duty of a man is the seeking after and the investigation of truth. Cicero - - Such praise coming from so degraded a source, was degrading to me, its recipient. Cicero - - To be content with what one has is the greatest and truest of riches. Cicero - - Art is born of the observation and investigation of nature. Cicero - - We do not destroy religion by destroying superstition. Cicero - - I will go further, and assert that nature without culture can often do more to deserve praise than culture without nature. Cicero - - Natural ability without education has more often attained to glory and virtue than education without natural ability. Cicero - De Divinatione - There is nothing so absurd but some philosopher has said it. Cicero - - We are obliged to respect, defend and maintain the common bonds of union and fellowship that exist among all members of the human race. |
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