Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 1.63 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.63
This, then, is a fine saying of Plato's: "Not only must all knowledge that is divorced from justice be called cunning rather than wisdom," he says, "but even the courage that is prompt to face danger, if it is inspired not by public spirit, but by its own selfish purposes, should have the name of effrontery rather than of courage." And so we demand that men who are courageous and high-souled shall at the same time be good and straightforward, lovers of truth, and foes to deception; for these qualities are the centre and soul of justice.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.63, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/1.63
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 notesKnowledge cut off from justice is mere cleverness, and bravery driven by selfish purposes is mere shamelessness. We should expect courageous, high-minded people to also be honest, straightforward and truth-loving, since these qualities are the heart of justice.
Older wording
- “effrontery”
- — shameless boldness
- “cunning”
- — cleverness used without morals
Themes and situations
- Virtue and character
- Justice and fairness
- Courage
- Ambition and success
- An ethical dilemma
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