Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 3.72 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 3.72
From this we come to realize that since Nature is the source of right, it is not in accord with Nature that anyone should take advantage of his neighbour's ignorance. And no greater curse in life can be found than knavery that wears the mask of wisdom. Thence come those countless cases in which the expedient seems to conflict with the right. For how few will be found who can refrain from wrong-doing, if assured of the power to keep it an absolute secret and to run no risk of punishment!
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 3.72, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/3.72
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 notesSince right comes from nature, taking advantage of someone's ignorance goes against it, and the worst curse in life is cunning dressed up as wisdom. Most apparent clashes between right and advantage arise because few people would refrain from wrongdoing if they could be certain of secrecy and safety.
Older wording
- “knavery”
- — dishonest trickery
- “expedient”
- — useful or advantageous
Themes and situations
- Justice and fairness
- Nature and the cosmos
- Virtue and character
- An ethical dilemma
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