--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That which leads us to the performance of…" description: "\"That which leads us to the performance of duty by offering pleasure as its reward, is not virtue, but a deceptive copy and imitation of virtue. [Lat., ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07f/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_ads_that-which-leads-us-to-the-performance-o_3076771.jpg" --- # That which leads us to the performance of duty by offering… ![“That which leads us to the performance of duty by offering pleasure as its reward, is not virtue, but a deceptive copy and imitation of virtue. [Lat., Nam quae voluptate, quasi mercede aliqua, ad officium impellitur, ea non est virtus sed fallax imitatio simulatioque virtutis.]” quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07f/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_ads_that-which-leads-us-to-the-performance-o_3076771.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07f/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_ads_that-which-leads-us-to-the-performance-o_3076771.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/07f/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_ads_that-which-leads-us-to-the-performance-o_3076771.jpg) > “That which leads us to the performance of duty by offering pleasure as its reward, is not virtue, but a deceptive copy and imitation of virtue. \[Lat., Nam quae voluptate, quasi mercede aliqua, ad officium impellitur, ea non est virtus sed fallax imitatio simulatioque virtutis.\]” [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. Virtue cannot be genuine when motivated by personal pleasure; it becomes a mere imitation lacking moral integrity. **In simple terms:** Virtue isn’t true if done for pleasure. Key Takeaway Seek duty for its own sake, not for reward. Themes ethics motivation integrity Mood reflective serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal decision - leadership - teaching - self‑discipline Key Concepts virtue deception imitation Questions to Reflect On - Can you identify duties you perform for reward rather than principle? - How does this affect trust? A Different Perspective Pleasure‑driven actions may erode true moral character. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Performances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performances/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [It is not a virtue, but a deceptive copy and imitation of virtue, when we are led to the performance of duty by pleasure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/it-is-not-a-virtue-but-a-deceptive-copy-and-imitation-of-virtue-when/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Painting, like poetry, selects in the universe whatever she deems most appropriate to her ends. 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