Cicero (marcus Tullius Cicero) Quotes

It is generally said, "Past labors are pleasant," Euripides says,
for you all know the Greek verse, "The recollection read more

It is generally said, "Past labors are pleasant," Euripides says,
for you all know the Greek verse, "The recollection of past
labors is pleasant."
[Lat., Vulgo enim dicitur, Jucundi acti labores: nec male
Euripides: concludam, si potero, Latine: Graecum enim hunc
versum nostis omnes: Suavis laborum est proeteritorum memoria.

Care should be taken that the punishment does not exceed the
guilt; and also that some men do not read more

Care should be taken that the punishment does not exceed the
guilt; and also that some men do not suffer for offenses for
which others are not even indicted.
[Lat., Cavendum est ne major poena quam culpa sit; et ne iisdem
de causis alii plectantur, alii ne appellentur quidem.]

First things first, second things never.

First things first, second things never.

No well-informed person has declared a change of opinion to be
inconstancy.
[Lat., Nemo doctus unquam mutationem consilii read more

No well-informed person has declared a change of opinion to be
inconstancy.
[Lat., Nemo doctus unquam mutationem consilii inconstantiam dixit
esse.]

Without your knowledge, the eyes and ears of many will see and
watch you, as they have done already.
read more

Without your knowledge, the eyes and ears of many will see and
watch you, as they have done already.
[Lat., Multorum te etiam oculi et aures non sentientem, sicuti
adhuc fecerunt, speculabuntur atque custodient.]

By some fortuitous concourse of atoms.
[Lat., Fortuito quodam concursu atomorum.]

By some fortuitous concourse of atoms.
[Lat., Fortuito quodam concursu atomorum.]

To stumble twice against the same stone, is a proverbial
disgrace.
[Lat., Culpa enim illa, bis ad eundem, read more

To stumble twice against the same stone, is a proverbial
disgrace.
[Lat., Culpa enim illa, bis ad eundem, vulgari reprehensa
proverbio est.]

I am absolutely convinced that no wealth in the world can help
humanity forward, even in the hands of read more

I am absolutely convinced that no wealth in the world can help
humanity forward, even in the hands of the most devoted worker.
The example of great and pure individuals is the only thing that
can lead us to noble thoughts and deeds. Money only appeals to
selfishness and irresistibly invites abuse. Can anyone imagine M
anyone imagine Moses, Jesus or Gandhi armed with the money-bags
of Carnegie?

He takes the greatest ornament from friendship, who takes modesty
from it.
[Lat., Maximum ornamentum amicitiae tollit, qui read more

He takes the greatest ornament from friendship, who takes modesty
from it.
[Lat., Maximum ornamentum amicitiae tollit, qui ex ea tollit
verecudiam.]

It is foolish to pluck out one's hair for sorrow, as if grief
could be assuaged by baldness.
read more

It is foolish to pluck out one's hair for sorrow, as if grief
could be assuaged by baldness.
[Lat., Stultum est in luctu capillum sibi evellere, quasi calvito
maeror levaretur.]