But because we cannot discover it anywhere except in good report, propriety, and moral rectitude, we look upon these three for that reason as the first and the highest objects of endeavour, while what we term expediency we account not so much an ornament to our dignity as a necessary incident to living.
Cicero: “But because we cannot discover it anywhere except in good report, propriety, and moral rectitude, we look upon these…”
Editor's note · Context
Cicero explains that true advantage is inextricably linked to virtue, positioning good reputation, propriety, and moral rectitude as life's ultimate pursuits.
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