Explore Quotes by Marcus Tullius Cicero

Like readily consorts with like.

Most happy is he who is entirely self-reliant, and who centers all his requirements in himself alone.

Let the welfare of the people be the ultimate law.

For there is but one essential justice which cements society, and one law which establishes this justice. This law is right reason, which is the true rule of all commandments and prohibitions. Whoever neglects this law, whether written or unwritten, is necessarily unjust and wicked.

No one dances sober, unless he is insane.

The name of peace is sweet, and the thing itself is beneficial, but there is a great difference between peace and servitude. Peace is freedom in tranquillity, servitude is the worst of all evils, to be resisted not only by war, but even by death.

Do not blame Caesar, blame the people of Rome who have so enthusiastically acclaimed and adored him and rejoiced in their loss of freedom and danced in his path and gave him triumphal processions. Blame the people who hail him when he speaks in the Forum of the 'new, wonderful good society' which shall now be Rome, interpreted to mean 'more money, more ease, more security, more living fatly at the expense of the industrious.'

This wine is forty years old. It certainly doesn't show its age.

No man can be brave who thinks pain the greatest evil; nor temperate, who considers pleasure the highest good.

The higher our position the more modestly we should behave.

Superstition is an unreasoning fear of God.

A thankful heart is the greatest virtue.

That last day does not bring extinction to us, but change of place.

Victory is by nature insolent and haughty.

Softly! Softly! I want none but the judges to hear me. The Jews have already gotten me into a fine mess, as they have many other gentleman. I have no desire to furnish further grist for their mills.

Great is the power, great is the authority of a senate that is unanimous in its opinions.

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.

A good orator is pointed and impassioned.

Whatever is done without ostentation, and without the people being witnesses of it, is, in my opinion, most praiseworthy: not that the public eye should be entirely avoided, for good actions desire to be placed in the light; but notwithstanding this, the greatest theater for virtue is conscience.

Virtue is its own reward.

Like associates with like.