On the record44 BC
Every duty, therefore, that tends effectively to maintain and safeguard human society should be given the preference over that duty which arises from speculation and science alone.
Said by
Cicero
Source
gutenberg.orgCicero: “Every duty, therefore, that tends effectively to maintain and safeguard human society should be given the preference…”
Editor's note · Context
Cicero reiterates his ethical framework, asserting that duties supporting human society are more important than those derived solely from abstract thought.
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44 BC
Besides, he will not expose anyone to hatred or disrepute by groundless charges, but he will surely cleave to justice and honour so closely that he will submit to any loss, however heavy, rather than be untrue to them, and will face death…
44 BC
Thus apparent expediency is outweighed when placed in the balance against moral rectitude.
44 BC
Moreover, all our thought and mental activity will be devoted either to planning for things that are morally right and that conduce to a good and happy life, or to the pursuits of science and learning.
44 BC
But while they steer clear of the one kind of injustice, they fall into the other: they are traitors to social life, for they contribute to it none of their interest, none of their effort, none of their means.
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