De Officiis

by Marcus Tullius Cicero(8 total)

And we recently discovered, if it was not known before, that no amount of power can withstand the hatred of the many.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero, perseus.tufts.edu

Mob Rule tyranny Power Hatred

For things are in a bad way, when that which should be obtained by merit is attempted by money.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero, perseus.tufts.edu

Merit Money Meritocracy

The only excuse, therefore, for going to war is that we may live in peace unharmed; and when the victory is won, we should spare those who have not been bloodthirsty and barbarous in their warfare.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero, perseus.tufts.edu

Peace War

There are, on the other hand, two kinds of injustice—the one, on the part of those who inflict wrong, the other on the part of those who, when they can, do not shield from wrong those upon whom it is being inflicted.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero, perseus.tufts.edu

Injustice

Above all, the search after truth and its eager pursuit are peculiar to man.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero, perseus.tufts.edu

Truth Truthseeking

Thus we come to understand that what is true, simple, and genuine appeals most strongly to a man's nature.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero, perseus.tufts.edu

True Simple Genuine

First of all, Nature has endowed every species1 of living creature with the instinct of self-preservation, of avoiding what seems likely to cause injury to life or limb, and of procuring and providing everything needful for life—food, shelter, and the like.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero, perseus.tufts.edu

Nature self-preservation Life Limb food

Cunning is not wisdom.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero, perseus.tufts.edu

Cunning Wisdom

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