Marcus Tullius Cicero

If you wish to persuade me, you must think my thoughts, feel my feelings, and speak my words.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

I am much beholden to old age, which has increased my eagerness for conversation in proportion as it has lessened my appetites…

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

The eyes, like sentinels, hold the highest place in the body. [Lat., Oculi, tanquam, speculatores, altissimum locum obtinent.]

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

The most desirable thing in life after health and modest means is leisure with dignity.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

The authors who affect contempt for a name in the world put their names to the books which they invite the world…

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

Times are bad. Children no longer obey their parents, and everyone is writing a book.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

Poor is the nation that has no heroes, but poorer still is the nation that having heroes, fails to remember and honor…

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

The swan is not without cause dedicated to Apollo, because foreseeing his happiness in death, he dies with singing and pleasure.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

What gift has providence bestowed on man that is so dear to him as his children?

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

To freemen, threats are impotent. [Lat., Nulla enim minantis auctoritas apud liberos est.]

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

I cheerfully quit from life as if it were an inn, not a home; for Nature has given us a hostelry in…

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

Not to have knowledge of what happened before you were born is to be condemned to live as a child.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

The injuries that befall us unexpectedly are less severe than those which are deliberately anticipated.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

He who has once deviated from the truth, usually commits perjury with as little scruple as he would tell a lie.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

It is difficult to tell how much men's minds are conciliated by a kind manner and gentle speech.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

It might be pardonable to refuse to defend some men, but to defend them negligently is nothing short of criminal.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

I look upon the pleasure we take in a garden as one of the most innocent delights in human life.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

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

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

Confidence is that feeling by which the mind embarks in great and honorable courses with a sure hope and trust in itself.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

According to the law of nature it is only fair that no one should become richer through damages and injuries suffered by…

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

They are eloquent who can speak low things acutely, and of great things with dignity, and of moderate things with temper.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

As in the case of wines that improve with age, the oldest friendships ought to be the most delightful.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

Men ought to be most annoyed by the sufferings which come from their own faults.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

Orators are most vehement when they have the weakest cause, as men get on horseback when they cannot walk.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

No power is strong enough to be lasting if it labors under the weight of fear.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence, you have won even…

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

A war is never undertaken by the ideal state, except in defense of its honor or its safety.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

How do our philosophers act? Do they not inscribe their signatures to the very essays they write on the propriety of despising…

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

I will adhere to the counsels of good men, although misfortune and death should be the consequence.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

Let arms give place to the robe, and the laurel of the warriors yield to the tongue of the orator.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

Action is the language of the body and should harmonize with the spirit within.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

An old man with something of the youth in him, may feel young in mind and heart only.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

To be endowed with strength by nature, to be actuated by the powers of the mind, and to have a certain spirit…

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

“for in history there is nothing more pleasing than clear and brilliant brevity.”

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

I prefer silent prudence to loquacious folly. [Lat., Malo indisertam prudentiam, quam loquacem stultitiam.]

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

Friendship is the only point in human affairs concerning the benefit of which all, with one voice, agree.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

Every evil in the bud is easily crushed: as it grows older, it becomes stronger.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

I follow nature as the surest guide, and resign myself with implicit obedience to her sacred ordinances.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

Great is the power of habit. It teaches us to bear fatigue and to despise wounds and pain.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero

Death is dreadful to the man whose all is extinguished with his life; but not to him whose glory never can die.

— Marcus Tullius Cicero