Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 2.39 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 2.39
Now, in my opinion at least, every walk and vocation in life calls for human co-operation—first and above all, in order that one may have friends with whom to enjoy social intercourse. And this is not easy, unless one is looked upon as a good man. So, even to a man who shuns society and to one who spends his life in the country a reputation for justice is essential—even more so than to others; for they who do not have it [but are considered unjust] will have no defence to protect them and so will be the victims of many kinds of wrong.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 2.39, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/2.39
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 notesEvery line of work depends on cooperation, and cooperation depends on being thought a good person. Even someone who avoids society or lives quietly in the country needs a name for fairness, since without it they have no protection and invite many wrongs.
Older wording
- “vocation”
- — a calling or occupation
Themes and situations
- Justice and fairness
- Reputation and others' opinions
- Community and our duty to others
- Solitude and retreat
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