Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
Lucius Cassius ille quem populus Romanus verissimum et sapientissimum iudicem putabat identidem in causis quaerere solebat 'cui bono' fuisset. The famous Lucius Cassius, whom the Roman people used to regard as a very honest and wise judge, was in the habit of asking, time and again, 'To whose benefit?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of understanding who benefits from an action or decision.
Lucius Cassius, a respected judge in ancient Rome, is highlighted in this quote for his practice of questioning the motivations behind actions by asking 'to whose benefit?'. This reflects a profound wisdom about the nature of decisions and actions, prompting individuals to consider the implications and beneficiaries of various situations, a practice that encourages accountability and critical thinking.
Themes
BenefitWisdomJudgmentDecision MakingAccountability
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate on policy changes, one might use this quote to highlight the need for evaluating who will truly benefit from the changes.
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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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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