Friends Quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero
“For how many things, which for our own sake we should never do, do we perform for the sake of our friends.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: On Friendship, Cicero, 44 BC
People often act against their own best interests because of loyalty or desire to please friends, even when it harms them.
In simple terms: We do things for friends that we shouldn’t do for ourselves.
Key Takeaway
Consider motives before sacrificing self‑interest.
Themes
loyalty
friendship
self‑interest
ethical dilemmas
Mood
conflicted
reflective
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- making decisions at work
- helping a friend move
- agreeing to risky plans
- giving financial aid
Key Concepts
Stoicism
social pressure
moral psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you differentiate between supportive and detrimental loyalty?
- How can you protect your well‑being while honoring friendships?
A Different Perspective
Friends may unintentionally pressure us into harmful choices.
![“Things sacred should not only be touched with the hands, but unviolated in thought. [Lat., Res sacros non modo manibus attingi, sed ne cogitatione quidem violari fas fuit.]” quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/deb/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_hands_things-sacred-should-not-only-be-touched_11960.jpg)
