Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 3.30 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 3.30
These cases are very easy to decide. For, if merely for one's own benefit one were to take something away from a man, though he were a perfectly worthless fellow, it would be an act of meanness and contrary to Nature's law. But suppose one would be able, by remaining alive, to render signal service to the state and to human society—if from that motive one should take something from another, it would not be a matter for censure. But, if such is not the case, each one must bear his own burden of distress rather than rob a neighbour of his rights. We are not to say, therefore, that sickness or want or any evil of that sort is more repugnant to Nature than to covet and to appropriate what is one's neighbour's; but we do maintain that disregard of the common interests is repugnant to Nature; for it is unjust.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 3.30, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/3.30
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 notesEven in desperate need, taking something from another purely for your own benefit is mean and wrong, even if the victim is a worthless person; hardship is better borne than inflicted on someone else. The only exception would be where your survival would give real service to others.
Older wording
- “censure”
- — blame or criticism
- “repugnant”
- — deeply contrary or offensive
Themes and situations
- Justice and fairness
- Adversity and hardship
- Resilience and endurance
- Community and our duty to others
- An ethical dilemma
- Losing money
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