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Cicero: On Duties (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought) ( Paperback ) by Cicero, Marcus Tullius published by Cambridge University Press
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About the author
Marcus Tullius Cicero
8,052 books1,964 followersBorn 3 January 106 BC, Arpinum, Italy
Died 7 December 43 BC (aged 63), Formia, Italy
Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. Cicero is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.
Alternate profiles:
Cicéron
Marco Tullio Cicerone
Cicerone
Note: All editions should have Marcus Tullius Cicero as primary author. Editions with another name on the cover should have that name added as secondary author.
Died 7 December 43 BC (aged 63), Formia, Italy
Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. Cicero is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.
Alternate profiles:
Cicéron
Marco Tullio Cicerone
Cicerone
Note: All editions should have Marcus Tullius Cicero as primary author. Editions with another name on the cover should have that name added as secondary author.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 11, 2025
I skimmed this book too fast — It requires a second read (when I am not at the precipice of mental exhaustion).
Interesting tidbits:
(1) A critique of Plato's passive conception of philosophy by re-defining justice.
Justice is not merely (a) to do no harm, but also (b) to not allow others to do harm while you stand idly. Hence, merely learning for yourself is insufficient. We must pursue an active life of good — for Cicero, this activity exists in a thoroughly political realm.
If the philosopher is dragged back into the cave using force and compulsion, then he must not be truly virtuous. (Could this be a critique of all academia lol?)
(2) A defense of the sociality of human beings
Cicero defines humans as inherently social creatures — it is in our nature to help others and create a common good. That capacity sets humans apart from beasts. (Whether "natural" means (a) inevitable/naturally occurring or (b) distinctive/naturally endowed trait is up for debate.)
He uses a curious analogy of honeybees. Honeybees do not make honey because they want to make honey. Honeybees are naturally gregarious creatures, so their character drives them to make honey at the honeycomb.
While this example is funny, I'm not sure how compelling it is. Shall I chew on that a bit more?
(3) What is honorable/virtuous is also what is advantageous/efficient
These goddamn translations are all so horrible because those two words divided by a / obviously mean drastically different things, but the two translations I flip-flopped between used those, so alas.
What does it mean to be virtuous? Cicero says its the 4 cardinal virtues that Plato also attributes to Socrates in The Republic (justice, wisdom, courage, moderation).
Pursuing these 4 things is also entirely what is in one's own advantage. (Is it? How do we even define “advantage”?)
In conclusion, Cicero defies a clear philosophical categorization. His defense of the social and political is remarkable considering his own political persecution and untimely death. This work could be more lucid & succint at times, but it was a rushed letter to his son composed right before death, so I cut him some slack.
Hopefully I will revisit this and have better thoughts. (4.2/5)
Interesting tidbits:
(1) A critique of Plato's passive conception of philosophy by re-defining justice.
Justice is not merely (a) to do no harm, but also (b) to not allow others to do harm while you stand idly. Hence, merely learning for yourself is insufficient. We must pursue an active life of good — for Cicero, this activity exists in a thoroughly political realm.
If the philosopher is dragged back into the cave using force and compulsion, then he must not be truly virtuous. (Could this be a critique of all academia lol?)
(2) A defense of the sociality of human beings
Cicero defines humans as inherently social creatures — it is in our nature to help others and create a common good. That capacity sets humans apart from beasts. (Whether "natural" means (a) inevitable/naturally occurring or (b) distinctive/naturally endowed trait is up for debate.)
He uses a curious analogy of honeybees. Honeybees do not make honey because they want to make honey. Honeybees are naturally gregarious creatures, so their character drives them to make honey at the honeycomb.
While this example is funny, I'm not sure how compelling it is. Shall I chew on that a bit more?
(3) What is honorable/virtuous is also what is advantageous/efficient
These goddamn translations are all so horrible because those two words divided by a / obviously mean drastically different things, but the two translations I flip-flopped between used those, so alas.
What does it mean to be virtuous? Cicero says its the 4 cardinal virtues that Plato also attributes to Socrates in The Republic (justice, wisdom, courage, moderation).
Pursuing these 4 things is also entirely what is in one's own advantage. (Is it? How do we even define “advantage”?)
In conclusion, Cicero defies a clear philosophical categorization. His defense of the social and political is remarkable considering his own political persecution and untimely death. This work could be more lucid & succint at times, but it was a rushed letter to his son composed right before death, so I cut him some slack.
Hopefully I will revisit this and have better thoughts. (4.2/5)
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