Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 1.86 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.86
As a result of this party spirit bitter strife arose at Athens, and in our own country not only dissensions but also disastrous civil wars broke out. All this the citizen who is patriotic, brave, and worthy of a leading place in the state will shun with abhorrence; he will dedicate himself unreservedly to his country, without aiming at influence or power for himself; and he will devote himself to the state in its entirety in such a way as to further the interests of all. Besides, he will not expose anyone to hatred or disrepute by groundless charges, but he will surely cleave to justice and honour so closely that he will submit to any loss, however heavy, rather than be untrue to them, and will face death itself rather than renounce them.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.86, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/1.86
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 notesParty spirit has caused civil wars, and a patriotic leader shuns it and works for the whole community, not for their own influence. Such a person will not smear anyone with baseless accusations and will hold to justice and honour even at heavy personal cost.
Older wording
- “abhorrence”
- — deep loathing
- “cleave”
- — cling closely
Themes and situations
- Leadership and power
- Justice and fairness
- Community and our duty to others
- Virtue and character
- Courage
- Leading others
- An ethical dilemma
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