For there are people who in opposite circumstances do not act consistently: they have the utmost contempt for pleasure, but in pain they are too sensitive; they are indifferent to glory, but they are crushed by disgrace; and even in their inconsistency they show no great consistency.
In his philosophical work, Cicero describes the common human failing of inconsistency in character and reaction to life's circumstances.
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For there are men who for fear of giving offence do not dare to express their honest opinion, no matter how excellent.
But for all cases we have one rule, with which I desire you to be perfectly familiar: that which seems expedient must not be morally wrong; or, if it is morally wrong, it must not seem expedient.
Such acts of generosity are not to be so highly esteemed as those which are performed with judgment, deliberation, and mature consideration.
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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