They are carried, so to speak, beyond themselves with self-conceit and self-will; nor can anything be more perfectly intolerable than a successful fool.
Cicero: “They are carried, so to speak, beyond themselves with self-conceit and self-will; nor can anything be more perfectly…”
Editor's note · Context
In his philosophical treatise, Cicero critiques the arrogance and self-indulgence that often accompany success, particularly in those lacking wisdom.
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For we are all attracted and drawn to a zeal for learning and knowing; and we think it glorious to excel therein, while we count it base and immoral to fall into error, to wander from the truth, to be ignorant, to be led astray.
In my opinion, at least, we should always strive to secure a peace that shall not admit of guile.
For nothing is more commendable, nothing more becoming in a pre-eminently great man than courtesy and forbearance.
Accordingly, in encountering danger we should do as doctors do in their practice: in light cases of illness they give mild treatment; in cases of dangerous sickness they are compelled to apply hazardous and even desperate remedies.





