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What Would Stoics Do

Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE

On Duties 1.120 — Cicero (on the Stoics)

Translation by Walter Miller (1913)

Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.120

But since the most powerful influence in the choice of a career is exerted by Nature, and the next most powerful by Fortune, we must, of course, take account of them both in deciding upon our calling in life; but, of the two, Nature claims the more attention. For Nature is so much more stable and steadfast, that for Fortune to come into conflict with Nature seems like a combat between a mortal and a goddess. If, therefore, anyone has conformed his whole plan of life to the kind of nature that is his (that is, his better nature), let him go on with it consistently—for that is the essence of Propriety—unless, perchance, he should discover that he has made a mistake in choosing his life work. If this should happen (and it can easily happen), he must change his vocation and mode of life. If circumstances favour such change, it will be effected with greater ease and convenience. If not, it must be made gradually, step by step, just as, when friendships become no longer pleasing or desirable, it is more proper (so wise men think) to undo the bond little by little than to sever it at a stroke.
— Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.120 · tr. Walter Miller (1913)Read in context →

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Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.120, tr. Walter Miller (1913)

https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/1.120

Cicero, On Duties (De Officiis), tr. Walter Miller (Loeb, 1913). Text: Perseus Digital Library (CC BY-SA 4.0). Sources and licences

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In plain English

AI-written notes

Your own nature should weigh more than luck in choosing a calling, because nature is steadier than fortune. If you realise you chose wrongly, change vocation, ideally gradually and when circumstances allow, just as it is better to unwind a friendship that has stopped working bit by bit than to cut it off in a single stroke.

Older wording

“vocation”
— a calling or career
“sever”
— cut off

Themes and situations

  • Nature and the cosmos
  • Friendship
  • Learning and progress
  • What is in our control
  • Duty and roles
  • A hard decision
  • A career setback
  • Trouble with a friend

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Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.120, tr. Walter Miller (1913)