Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 1.68 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.68
Moreover, it would be inconsistent for the man who is not overcome by fear to be overcome by desire, or for the man who has shown himself invincible to toil to be conquered by pleasure. We must, therefore, not only avoid the latter, but also beware of ambition for wealth; for there is nothing so characteristic of narrowness and littleness of soul as the love of riches; and there is nothing more honourable and noble than to be indifferent to money, if one does not possess it, and to devote it to beneficence and liberality, if one does possess it. As I said before, we must also beware of ambition for glory; for it robs us of liberty, and in defence of liberty a high-souled man should stake everything. And one ought not to seek military authority; nay, rather it ought sometimes to be declined, sometimes to be resigned.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.68, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/1.68
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 notesSomeone unafraid of danger but ruled by desire or pleasure is inconsistent, so guard against love of money, which shrinks the soul. The finest attitude is to be indifferent to money if you lack it and use it generously if you have it. Chasing glory similarly costs us our freedom, and power sometimes should be turned down or given up.
Older wording
- “beneficence”
- — doing good for others
- “liberality”
- — generosity
- “invincible”
- — unbeatable
Themes and situations
- Desire and craving
- Wealth and poverty
- Ambition and success
- Freedom
- Courage
- Money, status and wanting more
- Handling success
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