To conclude, the whole system of public bounties in such extravagant amount is intrinsically wrong; but it may under certain circumstances be necessary to make them; even then they must be proportioned to our ability and regulated by the golden mean.
In his work on ethical conduct, Cicero concludes his discussion on public bounties, advocating for moderation and necessity in their distribution.
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Again, is there not the fact that the wisest man ever dies with the greatest cheerfulness, the most unwise with the least?
Don't you think that the soul which has the clearer and longer sight sees that it is starting for better things, while the soul whose vision is dimmer does not see it?
I don't wish to depreciate life, as many men and good philosophers have often done; nor do I regret having lived, for I have done so in a way that lets me think that I was not born in vain.
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