Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
Every word that is unnecessary only pours over the side of a brimming mind.
Interpretation
Unnecessary words clutter the mind and dilute communication.
This quote by Cicero highlights the importance of clarity and conciseness in communication. It suggests that when we include extraneous words, we distract from the core message and overwhelm the listener, much like an overflowing cup that cannot hold any more liquid. Thus, it advocates for thoughtful expression, urging us to convey ideas in a straightforward manner.
In practice
In a presentation about effective communication, you might quote Cicero to emphasize the value of brevity.
Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.
Those wars are unjust which are undertaken without provocation. For only a war waged for revenge or defence can actually be just.
Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak.
Nothing contributes to the entertainment of the reader more, than the change of times and the vicissitudes of fortune.
No one has the right to be sorry for himself for a misfortune that strikes everyone.
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.
Many an object is not seen, though it falls within the range of our visual ray, because it does not come within the range of our intellectual ray.
I feel that there is reason lurking in you somewhere, so we will patiently grope round for it.
By far the greatest and most admirable form of wisdom is that needed to plan and beautify cities and human communities.
Live the full life of the mind, exhilarated by new ideas, intoxicated by the Romance of the unusual.
If you are pitched into misery, remember that your days on this earth are counted and you might as well make the best of those you have left.
We must be diligent today. To wait until tomorrow is too late. Death comes unexpectedly. How can we bargain with it?
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.