Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 2.34 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 2.34
Of these two qualities, then, justice has the greater power to inspire confidence; for even without the aid of wisdom, it has considerable weight; but wisdom without justice is of no avail to inspire confidence; for take from a man his reputation for probity, and the more shrewd and clever he is, the more hated and mistrusted he becomes. Therefore, justice combined with practical wisdom will command all the confidence we can desire; justice without wisdom will be able to do much; wisdom without justice will be of no avail at all.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 2.34, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/2.34
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 notesIntegrity inspires trust more than cleverness does. An honest person of modest ability is still trusted, but the more skilled a dishonest person is, the more others fear and distrust them. Honesty joined with good judgement earns all the confidence anyone could want.
Older wording
- “probity”
- — honesty and moral integrity
- “shrewd”
- — sharp in practical judgement
Themes and situations
- Justice and fairness
- Virtue and character
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Leading others
- An ethical dilemma
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