Cicero (on the Stoics) · 106–43 BCE
On Duties 2.74 — Cicero (on the Stoics)
Translation by Walter Miller (1913)
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 2.74
The administration should also put forth every effort to prevent the levying of a property tax, and to this end precautions should be taken long in advance. Such a tax was often levied in the times of our forefathers on account of the depleted state of their treasury and their incessant wars. But, if any state (I say "any," for I would rather speak in general terms than forebode evils to our own; however, I am not discussing our own state but states in general)—if any state ever has to face a crisis requiring the imposition of such a burden, every effort must be made to let all the people realize that they must bow to the inevitable, if they wish to be saved. And it will also be the duty of those who direct the affairs of the state to take measures that there shall be an abundance of the necessities of life. It is needless to discuss the ordinary ways and means; for the duty is self-evident; it is necessary only to mention the matter.
Cite this passage
Cicero (on the Stoics), On Duties 2.74, tr. Walter Miller (1913)
https://whatwouldstoicsdo.com/passage/on-duties/2.74
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 notesGovernments should avoid taxing property and plan well ahead; if a crisis forces it, people must be made to see that it is unavoidable for their survival, while the supply of necessities is kept up. A dry piece of Roman fiscal policy.
Older wording
- “levying”
- — imposing or collecting a tax
- “forebode”
- — predict something bad
Themes and situations
- Leadership and power
- Acceptance and fate
- Community and our duty to others
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