Moreover, even in the social relations themselves there are gradations of duty so well defined that it can easily be seen which duty takes precedence of any other: our first duty is to the immortal gods; our second, to country; our third, to parents; and so on, in a descending scale, to the rest.
Cicero outlines a specific hierarchy of duties, placing obligations to the gods first, followed by country, and then parents.
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For there is a limit to retribution and to punishment; or rather, I am inclined to think, it is sufficient that the aggressor should be brought to repent of his wrong-doing, in order that he may not repeat the offence and that others may…
For there are men who for fear of giving offence do not dare to express their honest opinion, no matter how excellent.
Further than this, who fails to see that those promises are not binding which are extorted by intimidation or which we make when misled by false pretences?
Whether we do the kindness or not is optional; but to fail to requite one is not allowable to a good man, provided he can make the requital without violating the rights of others.
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