Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 1.125 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.125
As for the foreigner or the resident alien, it is his duty to attend strictly to his own concerns, not to pry into other people's business, and under no condition to meddle in the politics of a country not his own. In this way I think we shall have a fairly clear view of our duties when the question arises what is proper and what is appropriate to each character, circumstance, and age. But there is nothing so essentially proper as to maintain consistency in the performance of every act and in the conception of every plan.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.125, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/1.125
Cicero, On Duties (De Officiis), tr. Walter Miller (Loeb, 1913). Text: Perseus Digital Library (CC BY-SA 4.0). Sources and licences
In plain English
AI-written notesA newcomer in a foreign country should mind his own affairs and stay out of local politics. More broadly, once you know what suits your character, circumstances and age, the most fitting thing of all is to stay consistent in every action and plan.
Older wording
- “resident alien”
- — a foreigner living long-term in a place
- “meddle”
- — interfere in matters that are not yours
Themes and situations
- Duty and roles
- Virtue and character
- Self-discipline and habit
- Moving away or exile
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