Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 1.44 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.44
The second point for the exercise of caution was that our beneficence should not exceed our means; for those who wish to be more open-handed than their circumstances permit are guilty of two faults: first, they do wrong to their next of kin; for they transfer to strangers property which would more justly be placed at their service or bequeathed to them. And second, such generosity too often engenders a passion for plundering and misappropriating property, in order to supply the means for making large gifts. We may also observe that a great many people do many things that seem to be inspired more by a spirit of ostentation than by heart-felt kindness; for such people are not really generous but are rather influenced by a sort of ambition to make a show of being open-handed. Such a pose is nearer akin to hypocrisy than to generosity or moral goodness.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.44, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/1.44
Cicero, On Duties (De Officiis), tr. Walter Miller (Loeb, 1913). Text: Perseus Digital Library (CC BY-SA 4.0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesDo not give more than you can afford, since overgenerous people wrong their own family by sending to strangers what should go to relatives and may turn to grabbing money to fund their gifts. Much apparent generosity is really showing off, which is nearer to hypocrisy than to kindness.
Older wording
- “ostentation”
- — showy display
- “beneficence”
- — doing good for others
- “engenders”
- — gives rise to
Themes and situations
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Wealth and poverty
- Pride and humility
- Family and love
- Money, status and wanting more
Quote cards
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