Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
Nothing contributes to the entertainment of the reader more, than the change of times and the vicissitudes of fortune.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The fluctuations of time and fortune enhance storytelling and reader engagement.
Cicero's quote emphasizes that the unpredictable nature of life—marked by changes in circumstances and fortune—adds depth and intrigue to narratives. Such volatility captivates readers, drawing them into the unfolding drama of tales, as they find resonance in the highs and lows that characters experience, mirroring their own lives.
Themes
ChangeFortuneNarrativeReaderEntertainmentStorytelling
In practice
Example use cases
Referencing this quote in a book club discussion about character development.
More from Marcus Tullius Cicero
All quotes →Those wars are unjust which are undertaken without provocation. For only a war waged for revenge or defence can actually be just.
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Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak.
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No one has the right to be sorry for himself for a misfortune that strikes everyone.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
Advice in old age is foolish; for what can be more absurd than to increase our provisions for the road the nearer we approach to our journey's end.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
Loyalty is what we seek in friendship.
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