Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 2.38 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 2.38
As, then, this superiority of mind to such externals inspires great admiration, so justice, above all, on the basis of which alone men are called "good men," seems to people generally a quite marvellous virtue—and not without good reason; for no one can be just who fears death or pain or exile or poverty, or who values their opposites above equity. And people admire especially the man who is uninfluenced by money; and if a man has proved himself in this direction, they think him tried as by fire. Those three requisites, therefore, which were presupposed as the means of obtaining glory, are all secured by justice: (1) good-will, for it seeks to be of help to the greatest number; (2) confidence, for the same reason; and (3) admiration, because it scorns and cares nothing for those things, with a consuming passion for which most people are carried away.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 2.38, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/2.38
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 notesJustice looks marvellous because nobody can be fair while terrified of death, pain, exile or poverty, or while valuing those things above fairness. A person who cannot be swayed by money is especially admired, and justice earns goodwill, trust and admiration all at once.
Older wording
- “equity”
- — fairness
- “presupposed”
- — assumed beforehand
Themes and situations
- Justice and fairness
- Virtue and character
- Courage
- Wealth and poverty
- Reputation and others' opinions
- An ethical dilemma
- Money, status and wanting more
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