But if upon closer inspection one sees that there is some immorality connected with what presents the appearance of expediency, then one is not necessarily to sacrifice expediency but to recognize that there can be no expediency where there is immorality.
Cicero: “But if upon closer inspection one sees that there is some immorality connected with what presents the appearance of…”
Editor's note · Context
From his treatise on moral duties, Cicero argues that true advantage can never be found in actions that are morally wrong.
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