Cicero

For many men have sought occasions for war from the mere ambition for fame.

But if we will face the facts, we shall find that there have been many instances of achievement in peace more important and no less renowned than in war.

For Themistocles's victory served the state once and only once; while Solon's work will be of service for ever.

Although it is thought that it was by their achievements that Sparta gained her supremacy, yet these are not even remotely to be compared with the legislation and discipline of Lycurgus.

For arms are of little value in the field unless there is wise counsel at home.

That moral goodness which we look for in a lofty, high-minded spirit is secured, of course, by moral, not by physical, strength.

And in this way, the men who in a civil capacity direct the affairs of the nation render no less important service than they who conduct its wars: by their statesmanship oftentimes wars are either averted or terminated; sometimes also they…

War, however, should be undertaken in such a way as to make it evident that it has no other object than to secure peace.

But it takes a brave and resolute spirit not to be disconcerted in times of difficulty or ruffled and thrown off one's feet, as the saying is, but to keep one's presence of mind and one's self-possession and not to swerve from the path of…

But to mix rashly in the fray and to fight hand to hand with the enemy is but a barbarous and brutish kind of business.

Yet when the stress of circumstances demands it, we must gird on the sword and prefer death to slavery and disgrace.

As to destroying and plundering cities, let me say that great care should be taken that nothing be done in reckless cruelty or wantonness.

There are others still who will stoop to anything, truckle to anybody, if only they may gain their ends.

But it is much more important that we succeed in keeping our mental operations in harmony with nature's laws.

And we shall not fail in this if we guard against violent excitement or depression, and if we keep our minds intent on the observance of propriety.

And yet gentleness of spirit and forbearance are to be commended only with the understanding that strictness may be exercised for the good of the state; for without that, the government cannot be well administered.

On the other hand, if punishment or correction must be administered, it need not be insulting; it ought to have regard to the welfare of the state, not to the personal satisfaction of the man who administers the punishment or reproof.

For if anyone proceeds in a passion to inflict punishment, he will never observe that happy mean which lies between excess and defect.

But in reality, anger is in every circumstance to be eradicated; and it is to be desired that they who administer the government should be like the laws, which are led to inflict punishment not by wrath but by justice.

Again, when fortune smiles and the stream of life flows according to our wishes, let us diligently avoid all arrogance, haughtiness, and pride.

For it is as much a sign of weakness to give way to one's feelings in success as it is in adversity.

But it is a fine thing to keep an unruffled temper, an unchanging mien, and the same cast of countenance in every condition of life; this, history tells us, was characteristic of Socrates and no less of Gaius Laelius.

Under such circumstances also we must beware of lending an ear to sycophants or allowing them to impose upon us with their flattery.

For it is easy in this way to deceive ourselves, since we thus come to think ourselves duly entitled to praise; and to this frame of mind a thousand delusions may be traced, when men are puffed up with conceit and expose themselves to…

Moreover, all our thought and mental activity will be devoted either to planning for things that are morally right and that conduce to a good and happy life, or to the pursuits of science and learning.