Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 2.66 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 2.66
Closely connected with this profession, furthermore, is the gift of eloquence; it is at once more popular and more distinguished. For what is better than eloquence to awaken the admiration of one's hearers or the hopes of the distressed or the gratitude of those whom it has protected? It was to eloquence, therefore, that our fathers assigned the foremost rank among the civil professions. The door of opportunity for generous patronage to others, then, is wide open to the orator whose heart is in his work and who follows the custom of our forefathers in undertaking the defence of many clients without reluctance and without compensation.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 2.66, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/2.66
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 notesPersuasive speaking is a powerful way to help people, winning admiration, giving hope to the distressed and earning gratitude from those protected. A speaker who defends many clients freely, without payment, has the widest opportunity for generous patronage.
Older wording
- “eloquence”
- — fluent, persuasive speaking
- “patronage”
- — support given by someone with influence
Themes and situations
- Speech and silence
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Duty and roles
- Community and our duty to others
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