Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
Persistence in a single view has never been regarded as a merit in political leaders.
Interpretation
Political leaders are often criticized for being too rigid in their views and should instead embrace flexibility and adaptability.
Marcus Tullius Cicero suggests that political leaders must not cling stubbornly to a single perspective. Instead, the merit of a leader lies in their ability to adapt, listen to differing opinions, and evolve their thinking in response to new information. This flexibility can lead to more effective leadership and better decision-making in governance.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of adaptive leadership, one might quote Cicero to illustrate that rigidity can hinder effective governance.
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.
Across the globe there are girls who will one day lead nations, if only we afford them the chance to choose their own destinies.
It just comes from my faith as a Christian, to not just do a job, collect a check and go home.
I shall always think of myself first and foremost... as a hunter.
When you get to be President, there are all those things, the honors, the twenty-one gun salutes, all those things. You have to remember it isn't for you. It's for the Presidency.
If I never do anything else in this career as a member of Congress, I'm gonna make somebody pay for what they've done to my community and to my people!
Good leadership isn't about advancing yourself. It's about advancing your team.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.