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Cicero Quotes
b. 106 BC
Marcus Tullius Cicero (3 January 106 BC – 7 December 43 BC), infrequently known by the anglicized name Tully in the Middle Ages and after, was a Roman philosopher, politician, lawyer, orator, political theorist, consul and constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the Roman equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.
Lawyers Philosophers Translators Also known as: Marcus Tullius Cicero, The Extremes of Good and Evil, Tully
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I never cease urging peace, which, however unfair, is better than the justest war in the world.
Every one is least known to himself, and it is very difficult for a man to know himself.
No sensible man (among the many things that have been written on this kind) ever imputed inconsistency to another for changing his mind.
That he was never less at leisure than when at leisure; nor that he was ever less alone than when alone.
There is nothing better fitted to delight the reader than change of circumstances and varieties of fortune.
He who has once deviated from the truth, usually commits perjury with as little scruple as he would tell a lie.
I am pleased to be praised by a man so praised as you, father. [Words used by Hector.]
All the arts which belong to polished life have some common tie, and are connected as it were by some relationship.
The consciousness of good intention is the greatest solace of misfortunes.
Not to know what happened before one was born is always to be a child.
How long will men dare to call anything expedient that is not right?
De Officiis – On Duties (-44)
From all sides there is equally a way to the lower world.
There are more disorders of the mind than of the body, and they are of a more dangerous nature.
The contemplation of celestial things will make a man both speak and think more sublimely and magnificently when he descends to human affairs.
We think a happy life consists in tranquility of mind.
Let the welfare of the people be the ultimate law.
The beginnings of all things are small.
Wars are to be undertaken in order that it may be possible to live in peace without molestation.
No man can be brave who thinks pain the greatest evil; nor temperate, who considers pleasure the highest good.
Through ignorance of what is good and what is bad, the life of men is greatly perplexed.
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