Marcus T. Cicero

There is nothing so absurd that some philosopher has not already said it.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Rightly defined philosophy is simply the love of wisdom.

— Marcus T. Cicero

A tear dries quickly when it is shed for troubles of others.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Before beginning, plan carefully.

— Marcus T. Cicero

In everything, satiety closely follows the greatest pleasures.

— Marcus T. Cicero

We are motivated by a keen desire for praise, and the better a man is the more he is inspired by glory. The very philosophers themselves, even in those books which they write in contempt of glory, inscribe their names.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Rashness belongs to youth; prudence to old age.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Let the punishment be proportionate to the offense.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Reason should direct and appetite obey.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Let reason govern desire.

— Marcus T. Cicero

To disregard what the world thinks of us is not only arrogant but utterly shameless.

— Marcus T. Cicero

As you have sown so shall you reap.

— Marcus T. Cicero

In the master there is a servant, in the servant a master.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Study carefully, the character of the one you recommend, lest their misconduct bring you shame.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Silence is one of the great arts of conversation.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Can there be greater foolishness than the respect you pay to people collectively when you despise them individually?

— Marcus T. Cicero

It is foolish to tear one's hair in grief, as though sorrow would be made less with baldness.

— Marcus T. Cicero

There is pleasure in calm remembrance of a past sorrow.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Great is our admiration of the orator who speaks with fluency and discretion.

— Marcus T. Cicero

A good orator is pointed and impassioned.

— Marcus T. Cicero

There are more men ennobled by study than by nature.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Superstition is an unreasoning fear of God.

— Marcus T. Cicero

I prefer tongue-tied knowledge to ignorant loquacity.

— Marcus T. Cicero

If we are not ashamed to think it, we should not be ashamed to say it.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Thrift is of great revenue.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Time destroys the speculation of men, but it confirms nature.

— Marcus T. Cicero

In everything truth surpasses the imitation and copy.

— Marcus T. Cicero

You will be as much value to others as you have been to yourself.

— Marcus T. Cicero

It is better to receive than to do injury.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Victory is by nature insolent and haughty.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Virtue is its own reward.

— Marcus T. Cicero

The sinews of war, a limitless supply of money.

— Marcus T. Cicero

There is wickedness in the intention of wickedness, even though it be not perpetrated in the act.

— Marcus T. Cicero

A person who is wise does nothing against their will, nothing with sighing or under coercion.

— Marcus T. Cicero

Nothing contributes to the entertainment of the reader more, than the change of times and the vicissitudes of fortune.

— Marcus T. Cicero

A sensual and intemperate youth translates into an old worn-out body.

— Marcus T. Cicero

As I approve of a youth that has something of the old man in him, so I am no less pleased with an old man that has something of the youth. He that follows this rule may be old in body, but can never be so in mind.

— Marcus T. Cicero

True law is right reason in agreement with nature; it is of universal application, unchanging and everlasting; it summons to duty by its commands, and averts from wrong-doing by its prohibitions. And it does not lay its commands or prohibitions upon good men in vain, though neither have any effect on the wicked. It is a sin to try to to [sic] alter this law, nor is it allowable to attempt to repeal any part of it, and it is impossible to abolish it entirely. We cannot be freed from its obligations by senate or people, and we need not look outside ourselves for an expounder or interpreter of it. And there will not be different laws at Rome and at Athens, or different laws now and in the future, but one eternal and unchangeable law will be valid for all nations and all times, and there will be one master and ruler, that is, God, over us all, for he is the author of this law, its promulgator, and its enforcing judge. Whoever is disobedient is fleeing from himself and denying his human nature, and by reason of this very fact he will suffer the worst penalties, even if he escapes what is commonly considered punishment.

— Marcus T. Cicero

As I give thought to the matter, I find four causes for the apparent misery of old age; first, it withdraws us from active accomplishments; second, it renders the body less powerful; third, it deprives us of almost all forms of enjoyment; fourth, it stands not far from death.

— Marcus T. Cicero

I am a Roman citizen.

— Marcus T. Cicero

For of all gainful professions, nothing is better, nothing more pleasing, nothing more delightful, nothing better becomes a well-bred man than agriculture.

— Marcus T. Cicero

The administration of government, like a guardianship ought to be directed to the good of those who confer, not of those who receive the trust.

— Marcus T. Cicero

The budget should be balanced, the treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt, the mobs should be forced to work and not depend on government for subsistence.

— Marcus T. Cicero