Well then, for a man to take something from his neighbour and to profit by his neighbour's loss is more contrary to nature than is death or poverty or pain or anything else that can affect either our person or our property.
In his philosophical exploration of duty, Cicero argues that profiting from another's loss is more unnatural than physical suffering or death.
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But those wars which have glory for their end must be carried on with less bitterness.
For we contend, for example, with a fellow-citizen in one way, if he is a personal enemy, in another, if he is a rival: with the rival it is a struggle for office and position, with the enemy for life and honour.
Further than this, who fails to see that those promises are not binding which are extorted by intimidation or which we make when misled by false pretences?
Whether we do the kindness or not is optional; but to fail to requite one is not allowable to a good man, provided he can make the requital without violating the rights of others.
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