Historical voices

He preferred to adorn Italy rather than his own house.

But to his own house he brought nothing save the glory of an immortal name.

The boast of official integrity belongs not to that man alone but also to his times.

For although it was by Nature's guidance that men were drawn together into communities, it was in the hope of safeguarding their possessions that they sought the protection of cities.

For the chief purpose in the establishment of constitutional state and municipal governments was that individual property rights might be secured.

If possible, we should by all means attend to both kinds of service; but we must take care in protecting the interests of individuals that what we do for them shall be beneficial, or at least not prejudicial to the state.

For the foundation of enduring reputation and fame is justice, and without justice there can be nothing worthy of praise.

The supreme rule, then, in the matter of kindnesses to be rendered by personal service is never to take up a case in opposition to the right nor in defence of the wrong.

Still, if he is a good man, as well as a rich one, let not his riches be a hindrance to his being aided, if only they are not the motive to it; but in conferring favours our decision should depend entirely upon a man's character, not on…

But suppose it is; he may, to be sure, have more money to spend: but how is he any the better man for that?

Why, they actually think that they have conferred a favour by accepting one, however great; and they even suspect that a claim is thereby set up against them or that something is expected in return.

But we should observe more carefully how the matter really stands: the poor man of whom we spoke cannot return a favour in kind, of course, but if he is a good man he can do it at least in thankfulness of heart.

But who is there, pray, that does not in performing a service set the favour of a rich and influential man above the cause of a poor, though most worthy, person?

It was to eloquence, therefore, that our fathers assigned the foremost rank among the civil professions.

For what is better than eloquence to awaken the admiration of one's hearers or the hopes of the distressed or the gratitude of those whom it has protected?

Thus, among the many admirable ideas of our ancestors was the high respect they always accorded to the study and interpretation of the excellent body of our civil law.

For the greatest privilege of wealth is, beyond all peradventure, the opportunity it affords for doing good, without sacrificing one's fortune.

We should, however, have a care for our personal property, for it is discreditable to let it run through our fingers; but we must guard it in such a way that there shall be no suspicion of meanness or avarice.

For it is not only generous occasionally to abate a little of one's rightful claims, but it is sometimes even advantageous.

The former is suited to men of worth and dignity, the latter to those shallow flatterers, if I may call them so, who tickle with idle pleasure, so to speak, the fickle fancy of the rabble.

Ransoming prisoners from servitude and relieving the poor is a form of charity that is a service to the state as well as to the individual.

For all men detest ingratitude and look upon the sin of it as a wrong committed against themselves also, because it discourages generosity; and they regard the ingrate as the common foe of all the poor.

Pains must, therefore, be taken to benefit as many as possible with such kindnesses that the memory of them shall be handed down to children and to children's children, so that they too may not be ungrateful.

For when generosity is not indiscriminate giving, it wins most gratitude and people praise it with more enthusiasm, because goodness of heart in a man of high station becomes the common refuge of everybody.