Category Archives: Cicero

Cicero on Reason’s Guidance

Posted on April 11, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“To sum up: when undertaking any action, we must hold fast to three things. First, impulse must obey reason; nothing is more suited to ensuring the observance of one’s duties than that. Secondly, we must keep in mind the importance … Continue reading →

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Nature, the Body, and Decency

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“From the beginning nature itself seems to have been thoroughly rational concerning our bodies: she has placed in sight those parts of our form and features that have an honourable appearance, but has covered and hidden the parts of the … Continue reading →

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History and the Orator

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“He [the orator] should also be acquainted with the history of the events of past ages, particularly, of course, of our state, but also of imperial nations and famous kings….To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is … Continue reading →

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Erasmus on Reason, Speech, and Friendship

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“Man possesses a unifying principle in the fact that he is molded to the same figure and form and endowed with the same power of speech.  Whereas beasts differ in the variety of their shapes, man is identical with fellow … Continue reading →

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The Difference between Human Nature and Beasts

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“From the beginning nature has assigned to every type of creature the tendency to preserve itself, its life and body, and to reject anything that seems likely to harm them, seeking and procuring everything necessary for life, such as nourishment, … Continue reading →

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Loyalty and Friendship

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Matthew Phillips

“Now the support and stay of that unswerving constancy, which we look for in friendship, is loyalty; for nothing is constant that is disloyal.  Moreover, the right course is to choose for a friend one who is frank, sociable, and … Continue reading →

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Cicero on Friendship

Posted on December 1, 2013 by Matthew Phillips

“For friendship is nothing else than an accord in all things, human and divine, conjoined with mutual goodwill and affection, and I am inclined to think that, with the exception of wisdom, no better thing has been given to man … Continue reading →

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Elderly Counsel and the Youth

Posted on October 13, 2013 by Matthew Phillips

“It befits a youth to respect his elders and to choose from there the best and most upright, upon whose counsel and authority he might depend. For the inexperience of early life ought to be ordered and guided by the good … Continue reading →

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Family is the seed-bed of political community

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Matthew Phillips

“For since it is by nature common to all animals that they have a drive to procreate, the first fellowship exists within marriage itself, and the next with one’s children.  Then, there is the one house in which everything is … Continue reading →

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Natural Fellowship

Posted on April 6, 2013 by Matthew Phillips

“Perhaps, though, we should examine more thoroughly what are the natural principles of human fellowship and community.  First is something that is seen in the fellowship of the entire human race.  For its bonding consists of reason and speech, which … Continue reading →

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