Cicero Quotes

When war is raging the laws are dumb.

A man has no enemy worse than himself.

The beginnings of all things are small.

In nothing do humans approach so nearly to the gods as doing good to others.

That which is not forbidden, is not on that account permitted.

Friendship embraces innumerable ends; turn where you will it is ever at your side; no barrier shuts it out; it is never untimely and never in the way.

Not in opinion but in nature is law founded.

For one day spent well, and agreeably to your precepts, is preferable to an eternity of error.

Nature has circumscribed the field of life within small dimensions, but has left the field of glory unmeasured.

Law is the highest reason implanted in Nature, which commands what ought to be done and forbids the opposite.

No one can speak well, unless he thoroughly understands his subject.

When they remain silent, they cry out.

The existence of virtue depends entirely upon its use.

Slowly and imperceptibly old age comes creeping on.

There is no life without friendship

The first bond of society is the marriage tie; the next our children; then the whole family of our house, and all things in common.

The wise man never loses his temper.

No one has leave to sin.

The divinity who rules within us, forbids us to leave this world without his command.

So you see, old age is really not so bad. May you come to know the condition!

Who does not know that the first law of historical writing is the truth.

Every animal loves itself.

The life of the dead consists in the recollection cherished of them by the living.

No man should so act as to make a gain out of the ignorance of another.

The name of peace is sweet, the thing itself is most salutary.

Let every man practice the art that he knows best.

I like myself, but I won't say I'm as handsome as the bull that kidnapped Europa.

The roots of knowledge are bitter, but its fruit are sweet.

Armed forces abroad are of little value unless there is prudent counsel at home

Laws should be interpreted in a liberal sense so that their intention may be preserved.

Never can custom conquer nature, for she is ever unconquered.

The name of peace is sweet and the thing itself good, but between peace and slavery there is the greatest difference.

An intemperate, disorderly youth will bring to old age, a feeble and worn-out body.

The injuries that befall us unexpectedly are less severe than those which are deliberately anticipated.

Let a man practise the profession he best knows. [Lat., Quam quisque novit artem, in hac se exerceat.]

Sed nescio quo modo nihil tam absurde dici potest quod non dicatur ab aliquo philosphorum. (There is nothing so absurd but some philosopher has said it.)

I will adhere to the counsels of good men, although misfortune and death should be the consequence.

It is not the place that maketh the person, but the person that maketh the place honorable.

Even if you have nothing to write, write and say so.

The beauty of the world and the orderly arrangement of everything celestial makes us confess that there is an excellent and eternal nature, which ought to be worshiped and admired by all mankind.

If you possess a library and a garden, you have everything you need. (translation from the French) Si vous possedez une bibliotheque et un jardin, vous avez tout ce qu'il vous faut.

Inhumanity is harmful in every age. - Inhumanitas omni aetate molesta est

If nature does not ratify law, then all the virtues may lose their sway.

The illustrious and noble ought to place before them certain rules and regulations, not less for their hours of leisure and relaxation than for those of business.

A good man will not lie, although it be for his profit.

That, Senators, is what a favour from gangs amounts to. They refrain from murdering someone; then they boast that they have spared him!

To reduce man to the duties of his own city, and to disengage him from duties to the members of other cities, is to break the universal society of the human race.

I will go further, and assert that nature without culture can often do more to deserve praise than culture without nature.

The whole glory of virtue resides in activity.

The soul in sleep gives proof of its divine nature.