--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If only every man would make proper use…" description: "\"If only every man would make proper use of his strength and do his utmost, he need never regret his limited ability.\" — Marcus Tullius Cicero" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9dc/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_ability_if-only-every-man-would-make-proper-use_2296746.jpg" --- # If only every man would make proper use of his strength… ![“If only every man would make proper use of his strength and do his utmost, he need never regret his limited ability.” quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9dc/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_ability_if-only-every-man-would-make-proper-use_2296746.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9dc/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_ability_if-only-every-man-would-make-proper-use_2296746.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9dc/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_ability_if-only-every-man-would-make-proper-use_2296746.jpg) > “If only every man would make proper use of his strength and do his utmost, he need never regret his limited ability.” [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Using one's abilities fully prevents later remorse about missed potential. **In simple terms:** Use strengths wisely to avoid regret. Key Takeaway Apply effort to strengths. Themes responsibility self‑improvement philosophy Mood reflective motivational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - personal development - team projects - public service Key Concepts virtue ethics stoicism Questions to Reflect On - Which strengths are underused? - How to balance effort and limits? A Different Perspective Not all strengths are relevant to every task. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Every man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-man/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Limited Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limited-ability-730622/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Never regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never-regret/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) [Strength Utmost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength-utmost-2636151/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Use Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use-strength-1011380/) [Utmost Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/utmost-need-4615465/) ## Related quotes > [Thinking the deed, and not the creed, Would help us in our utmost need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/thinking-the-deed-and-not-the-creed-would-help-us-in-our-utmost-need/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [“In the midst of the awfulness, a touch comes and you know it is the right hand of Jesus Christ. The right hand not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/in-the-midst-of-the-awfulness-a-touch-comes-and-you-know-it-is-the/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/against-them-make-ready-your-strength-to-the-utmost-of-your-power/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I had always suspected language was quite limited in its ability to communicate the intricate mysteries of truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/i-had-always-suspected-language-was-quite-limited-in-its-ability-to/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [“Those with a noticeable but limited ability are sent to Honoghr, Gentes, or Gamorr to become Sith Warriors or Marauders. There they are taught…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-karpyshyn/those-with-a-noticeable-but-limited-ability-are-sent-to-honoghr/) [Drew Karpyshyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-karpyshyn/) > [Even when the heavyweight champion was a fighter of limited ability, he was still the heavyweight champion of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hauser/even-when-the-heavyweight-champion-was-a-fighter-of-limited-ability/) [Thomas Hauser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hauser/) > [It is important to recognize the limited ability of the legal system to prescribe and enforce the quality of social arrangements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/it-is-important-to-recognize-the-limited-ability-of-the-legal-system/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Some people, frankly, are limited in their ability to understand what's possible. Some people just can't see what they've never seen. And that's okay.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/some-people-frankly-are-limited-in-their-ability-to-understand-what-s/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [Government has a limited amount of resources and a limited amount of ability to stop things that are market driven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-x-suarez/government-has-a-limited-amount-of-resources-and-a-limited-amount-of/) [Francis X. Suarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-x-suarez/) > [The extent of your consciousness is limited only by your ability to love and to embrace with your love the space around you, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/the-extent-of-your-consciousness-is-limited-only-by-your-ability-to/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [Life is far from fair and sometimes you have to use all of your strength to get through some of life's problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/life-is-far-from-fair-and-sometimes-you-have-to-use-all-of-your/) [SONYA PARKER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [There are some things that you'll never get over, but if you use all of your strength there's nothing that you can't get through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/there-are-some-things-that-you-ll-never-get-over-but-if-you-use-all/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Sometimes you're too nervous you use your strength more than you need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mauricio-rua/sometimes-you-re-too-nervous-you-use-your-strength-more-than-you-need/) [Mauricio Rua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mauricio-rua/) > [For offensive line play, it all starts from the ground up. Being able to use your strength in your legs, your hips, it all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-kelce/for-offensive-line-play-it-all-starts-from-the-ground-up-being-able/) [Jason Kelce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-kelce/) > [“Use your strength, but always remember that any strength may become a weakness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kateryna-kei/use-your-strength-but-always-remember-that-any-strength-may-become-a/) [Kateryna Kei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kateryna-kei/) ## More by Marcus Tullius Cicero > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This is a proof of a well-trained mind, to rejoice in what is good and to grieve at the opposite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/this-is-a-proof-of-a-well-trained-mind-to-rejoice-in-what-is-good-and/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Let art, then, imitate nature, find what she desires, and follow as she directs. For in invention nature is never last, education never first;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/let-art-then-imitate-nature-find-what-she-desires-and-follow-as-she/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/gratitude-is-not-only-the-greatest-of-virtues-but-the-parent-of-all/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Things sacred should not only be touched with the hands, but unviolated in thought. \[Lat., Res sacros non modo manibus attingi, sed ne cogitatione…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/things-sacred-should-not-only-be-touched-with-the-hands-but/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Grief is not in the nature of things, but in opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/grief-is-not-in-the-nature-of-things-but-in-opinion/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Physicians, when the cause of disease is discovered, consider that the cure is discovered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/physicians-when-the-cause-of-disease-is-discovered-consider-that-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Nihil est incertius vulgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum. (Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/nihil-est-incertius-vulgo-nihil-obscurius-voluntate-hominum-nihil/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [The foundations of justice are that on one shall suffer wrong; then, that the public good be promoted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/the-foundations-of-justice-are-that-on-one-shall-suffer-wrong-then/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [“The life of the dead is set in the memory of the living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/the-life-of-the-dead-is-set-in-the-memory-of-the-living/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Pardon is granted to necessity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/pardon-is-granted-to-necessity/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Friendship embraces innumerable ends; turn where you will it is ever at your side; no barrier shuts it out; it is never untimely and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/friendship-embraces-innumerable-ends-turn-where-you-will-it-is-ever/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [History is the witness of the times, the light of truth, the life of memory, the teacher of life, the messenger of antiquity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/history-is-the-witness-of-the-times-the-light-of-truth-the-life-of/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [The Jews belong to a dark and repulsive force. One knows how numerous this clique is, how they stick together and what power they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/the-jews-belong-to-a-dark-and-repulsive-force-one-knows-how-numerous/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Nature has planted in our minds an insatiable longing to see the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/nature-has-planted-in-our-minds-an-insatiable-longing-to-see-the-truth/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) [Explore all 1,068 Marcus Tullius Cicero quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If only every man would make proper use of his strength and do his utmost, he need never regret his limited ability.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Marcus Tullius Cicero" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/if-only-every-man-would-make-proper-use-of-his-strength-and-do-his/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/if-only-every-man-would-make-proper-use-of-his-strength-and-do-his/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9dc/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_ability_if-only-every-man-would-make-proper-use_2296746.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9dc/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_ability_if-only-every-man-would-make-proper-use_2296746.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9dc/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_ability_if-only-every-man-would-make-proper-use_2296746.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If only every man would make proper use of his strength and do his utmost, he need never regret his limited…” — Marcus Tullius Cicero", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Marcus Tullius Cicero", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If only every man would make...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/if-only-every-man-would-make-proper-use-of-his-strength-and-do-his/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/if-only-every-man-would-make-proper-use-of-his-strength-and-do-his/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```