Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 1.80 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.80
And so diplomacy in the friendly settlement of controversies is more desirable than courage in settling them on the battlefield; but we must be careful not to take that course merely for the sake of avoiding war rather than for the sake of public expediency. War, however, should be undertaken in such a way as to make it evident that it has no other object than to secure peace. But it takes a brave and resolute spirit not to be disconcerted in times of difficulty or ruffled and thrown off one's feet, as the saying is, but to keep one's presence of mind and one's self-possession and not to swerve from the path of reason.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 1.80, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/1.80
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 notesSettling disputes by negotiation is better than winning them by force, though not simply to dodge conflict, and when war is necessary its only aim should be peace. Real bravery means not being thrown into confusion in a crisis, keeping your presence of mind and holding to the path of reason.
Older wording
- “disconcerted”
- — thrown into confusion
- “self-possession”
- — composure and self-control
Themes and situations
- Courage
- Peace of mind
- Leadership and power
- Emotions and the passions
- Justice and fairness
- Conflict at work
- Leading others
Quote cards
The opening line of this passage as an image, with its citation — for sharing or keeping.