Now in regard to trades and other means of livelihood…
“Now in regard to trades and other means of livelihood, which ones are to be considered becoming to a gentleman and which ones are vulgar, we have been taught, in general, as follows. First, those means of livelihood are rejected as undesirable which incur people's ill-will, as those of tax-gatherers and usurers. Unbecoming to a gentleman, too, and vulgar are the means of livelihood of all hired workmen whom we pay for mere manual labour, not for artistic skill; for in their case the very wage they receive is a pledge of their slavery.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Cicero class trades that cause resentment or exploit labor as unfit for a respectable person, favoring honorable, skilled work.
In simple terms: Avoid trades that harm others or enslave workers; choose dignified, skilled occupations.
Key Takeaway
Seek honorable, skilled work.
Themes
morality
social class
labor
honor
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career counseling
- entrepreneurship
- education
- political discourse
Key Concepts
ethics
social hierarchy
economic dignity
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines a dignified trade?
- Can manual work be honorable?
A Different Perspective
Not all manual labor is degrading; context matters.