Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
As fire when thrown into water is cooled down and put out, so also a false accusation when brought against a man of the purest and holiest character, boils over and is at once dissipated, and vanishes.
Interpretation
What this quote means
False accusations against a virtuous person will ultimately lose their impact and fade away.
This quote by Cicero illustrates the idea that a person's integrity and pure character can withstand false accusations, much like how fire is extinguished when it comes into contact with water. It suggests that truth and virtue inherently have the power to quell negativity and falsehood, implying that people of strong character will ultimately be vindicated despite attempts to tarnish their reputation.
Themes
False AccusationCharacterIntegrityTruthVirtue
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech discussing resilience in the face of criticism.
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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Nothing contributes to the entertainment of the reader more, than the change of times and the vicissitudes of fortune.
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No one has the right to be sorry for himself for a misfortune that strikes everyone.
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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.
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