Marcus Tullius Cicero Quotes

The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

As I give thought to the matter, I find four causes for the apparent misery of old age: first, it withdraws us from active accomplishments; second, it renders the body less powerful; third, it deprives us of almost all forms of enjoyment; fourth, it stands not far from death.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

A room without books is like a body without a soul.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

The noblest spirit is most strongly attracted by the love of glory.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

When you are aspiring to the highest place, it is honorable to reach the second or even the third rank.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Reason should direct and appetite obey.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

If you would abolish avarice, you must abolish its mother, luxury.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Avarice in old age is foolish; for what can be more absurd than to increase our provisions for the road the nearer we approach to our journey's end.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Brevity is the best recommendation of speech, whether in a senator or an orator.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Brevity is a great charm of eloquence.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Nothing so cements and holds together all the parts of a society as faith or credit, which can never be kept up unless men are under some force or necessity of honestly paying what they owe to one another.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

It is a shameful thing to be weary of inquiry when what we search for is excellent.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Man is his own worst enemy.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable than fidelity. Faithfulness and truth are the most sacred excellences and endowments of the human mind.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Freedom suppressed and again regained bites with keener fangs than freedom never endangered.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Any man may make a mistake; none but a fool will stick to it.
Second thoughts are best as the proverb says.

[Lat., Cujusvis hominis est errare; nullius, nisi insipientis, in
errore perseverae. Posteriores enim cogitationes (ut aiunt)
sapientiores solent esse.]

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

- Philippicoe (XII, 2)

It is foolish to tear one's hair in grief, as though sorrow would be made less by baldness.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

The greatest incitement to guilt is the hope of sinning with impunity.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Hatred is settled anger.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

The causes of events are ever more interresting than the events themselves.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

My precept to all who build is, that the owner should be an ornament to the house, and not the house to the owner.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

To the sick, while there is life there is hope.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know.

~ Marcus Tullius Cicero