Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 1.156 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.156
And not only while present in the flesh do they teach and train those who are desirous of learning, but by the written memorials of their learning they continue the same service after they are dead. For they have overlooked no point that has a bearing upon laws, customs, or political science; in fact, they seem to have devoted their retirement to the benefit of us who are engaged in public business. The principal thing done, therefore, by those very devotees of the pursuits of learning and science is to apply their own practical wisdom and insight to the service of humanity. And for that reason also much speaking (if only it contain wisdom) is better than speculation never so profound without speech; for mere speculation is self-centred, while speech extends its benefits to those with whom we are united by the bonds of society.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.156, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/1.156
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 notesThinkers serve others not only by teaching in person but also through what they leave in writing, which keeps helping people after they are gone. Knowledge is best used when applied to public life, and speaking up with wisdom beats brilliant private speculation, which benefits only oneself.
Older wording
- “speculation”
- — abstract, theoretical thinking
Themes and situations
- Community and our duty to others
- Learning and progress
- Speech and silence
Quote cards
The opening line of this passage as an image, with its citation — for sharing or keeping.