Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
Whatever that be which thinks, understands, wills, and acts, it is something celestial and divine.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that the human mind and spirit possess a divine quality due to their capacity for thought and action.
Cicero reflects on the essence of humanity, implying that our ability to think, understand, will, and act elevates us beyond mere physical existence. This characterization of the human intellect as 'celestial and divine' recognizes the unique and profound nature of human consciousness, suggesting a higher purpose or origin connected to divine or celestial qualities.
Themes
HumanityMindIntellectDivineThought
In practice
Example use cases
This quote would be powerful in a discussion about the nature of consciousness in a philosophy class.
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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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