Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 2.21 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 2.21
Whenever, then, people bestow anything upon a fellow-man to raise his estate or his dignity, it may be from any one of several motives: (1) it may be out of good-will, when for some reason they are fond of him; (2) it may be from esteem, if they look up to his worth and think him deserving of the most splendid fortune a man can have; (3) they may have confidence in him and think that they are thus acting for their own interests; or (4) they may fear his power; (5) they may, on the contrary, hope for some favour—as, for example, when princes or demagogues bestow gifts of money; or, finally, (6) they may be moved by the promise of payment or reward. This last is, I admit, the meanest and most sordid motive of all, both for those who are swayed by it and for those who venture to resort to it.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 2.21, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/2.21
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 notesPeople help or promote someone for varied reasons: affection, respect, trust, fear, hope of favours or payment. Payment is the lowest motive, shameful both for the one who takes it and for the one who resorts to it.
Older wording
- “demagogues”
- — politicians who flatter and sway the crowd
- “sordid”
- — morally degrading
- “estate”
- — standing or status
Themes and situations
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Justice and fairness
- Community and our duty to others
- An ethical dilemma
Quote cards
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