Marcus Tullius Cicero Quotes

Though laughter is allowable, a horse-laugh is abominable.

Rashness is the companion of youth, prudence of old age.

Prudence in action avails more than wisdom in conception.

The devil finds work for idle hands to do. Better to reign in the hell than serve in heaven. We are in bondage to the law in order that we may be free.

Nothing troubles you for which you do not yearn.

Every man's friend is no man's friend.

To be ignorant of the past is to be forever a child.

If you wish to remove avarice you must remove its mother, luxuries. [Lat., Avaritiam si tollere vultis, mater ejus est tollenda, luxuries.]

Let the punishment match the offense.

He is rich who wishes no more than he has.

There is no opinion so stupid that it can't be expressed by some philosopher.

There is nothing proper about what you are doing, soldier, but do try to kill me properly.

There is no place more delightful than one's own fireside. Nullus est locus domestica sede jucundior.

For what people have always sought is equality before the law. For rights that were not open to all alike would be no rights.

We are not born for ourselves alone.

No deceit is so veiled as that which lies concealed behind the semblance of courtesy.

There is no quality I would rather have, and be thought to have, than gratitude. For it is not only the greatest virtue, but is the mother of all the rest.

Any man can make a mistake; only a fool keeps making the same one.

When war is raging the laws are dumb.

A man has no enemy worse than himself.

The beginnings of all things are small.

In nothing do humans approach so nearly to the gods as doing good to others.

That which is not forbidden, is not on that account permitted.

Friendship embraces innumerable ends; turn where you will it is ever at your side; no barrier shuts it out; it is never untimely and never in the way.

Not in opinion but in nature is law founded.

For one day spent well, and agreeably to your precepts, is preferable to an eternity of error.

Nature has circumscribed the field of life within small dimensions, but has left the field of glory unmeasured.

Law is the highest reason implanted in Nature, which commands what ought to be done and forbids the opposite.

No one can speak well, unless he thoroughly understands his subject.

When they remain silent, they cry out.

The existence of virtue depends entirely upon its use.

Slowly and imperceptibly old age comes creeping on.

There is no life without friendship

The first bond of society is the marriage tie; the next our children; then the whole family of our house, and all things in common.

The wise man never loses his temper.

No one has leave to sin.

The divinity who rules within us, forbids us to leave this world without his command.

So you see, old age is really not so bad. May you come to know the condition!

Who does not know that the first law of historical writing is the truth.

Every animal loves itself.

The life of the dead consists in the recollection cherished of them by the living.

No man should so act as to make a gain out of the ignorance of another.

The name of peace is sweet, the thing itself is most salutary.

Let every man practice the art that he knows best.

I like myself, but I won't say I'm as handsome as the bull that kidnapped Europa.

The roots of knowledge are bitter, but its fruit are sweet.

Armed forces abroad are of little value unless there is prudent counsel at home

Laws should be interpreted in a liberal sense so that their intention may be preserved.

Never can custom conquer nature, for she is ever unconquered.

The name of peace is sweet and the thing itself good, but between peace and slavery there is the greatest difference.