Political Quotes

Cicero: “An actor, in order to earn approval, is not bound to perform the play from beginning to end; let him only satisfy the…”

On the record44 BC
An actor, in order to earn approval, is not bound to perform the play from beginning to end; let him only satisfy the audience in whatever act he appears.
Said by
Cicero

Editor's note · Context

In his essay on old age, Cicero uses the analogy of an actor to illustrate that the value of life is not in its length but in how well one lives it.

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Now, old age is as it were the playing out of the drama, the full fatigue of which we should shun, especially when we also feel that we have had more than enough of it.

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For nature puts a limit to living as to everything else.

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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?

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Oh glorious day when I shall set out to join that heavenly conclave and company of souls, and depart from the turmoil and impurities of this world!

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