Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 1.73 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.73
This is easier for the philosophers; as their life is less exposed to the assaults of fortune, their wants are fewer; and, if any misfortune overtakes them, their fall is not so disastrous. Not without reason, therefore, are stronger emotions aroused in those who engage in public life than in those who live in retirement, and greater is their ambition for success; the more, therefore, do they need to enjoy greatness of spirit and freedom from annoying cares. If anyone is entering public life, let him beware of thinking only of the honour that it brings; but let him be sure also that he has the ability to succeed. At the same time, let him take care not to lose heart too readily through discouragement nor yet to be over-confident through ambition. In a word, before undertaking any enterprise, careful preparation must be made.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.73, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/1.73
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 notesPublic life exposes you to stronger emotions and greater ambition than a quiet life, so leaders need extra inner steadiness. Before taking on a big role, make sure you can actually do the job and not just enjoy the honour, avoid both discouragement and overconfidence, and prepare carefully before any undertaking.
Older wording
- “assaults of fortune”
- — blows of bad luck
- “enterprise”
- — a venture or project
Themes and situations
- Preparing for difficulty
- Ambition and success
- Leadership and power
- Emotions and the passions
- A hard decision
- Leading others
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