Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 1.3 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.3
And therefore, my dear Cicero, I cordially recommend you to read carefully not only my orations but also these books of mine on philosophy, which are now about as extensive. For while the orations exhibit a more vigorous style, yet the unimpassioned, restrained style of my philosophical productions is also worth cultivating. Moreover, for the same man to succeed in both departments, both in the forensic style and in that of calm philosophic discussion has not, I observe, been the good fortune of any one of the Greeks so far, unless, perhaps, Demetrius of Phalerum can be reckoned in that number—a clever reasoner, indeed, and, though rather a spiritless orator, he is yet charming, so that you can recognize in him the disciple of Theophrastus. But let others judge how much I have accomplished in each pursuit; I have at least attempted both.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.3, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/1.3
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 notesThe author recommends that his son read both his speeches and his philosophical books, since the fiery courtroom style and the calm philosophical style are each worth learning. Few Greeks mastered both, and he leaves others to judge how well he has done.
Older wording
- “forensic”
- — relating to speeches in the law courts
- “unimpassioned”
- — calm and free of strong emotion
Themes and situations
- Learning and progress
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