Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 1.48 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.48
But if, as Hesiod bids, one is to repay with interest, if possible, what one has borrowed in time of need, what, pray, ought we to do when challenged by an unsought kindness? Shall we not imitate the fruitful fields, which return more than they receive? For if we do not hesitate to confer favours upon those who we hope will be of help to us, how ought we to deal with those who have already helped us? For generosity is of two kinds: doing a kindness and requiting one. Whether we do the kindness or not is optional; but to fail to requite one is not allowable to a good man, provided he can make the requital without violating the rights of others.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.48, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/1.48
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 notesIf we ought to repay a loan with interest, we should be even more eager to answer an unrequested kindness by giving back more, like fertile fields that return more than they receive. Doing a favour is optional, but a good person does not fail to repay one, so long as the repayment wrongs no one else.
Older wording
- “requite”
- — repay, give back in return
- “requital”
- — repayment
Themes and situations
- Gratitude
- Kindness and forgiveness
- Duty and roles
- Justice and fairness
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