Cicero

For whatever propriety may be, it is manifested only when there is pre-existing moral rectitude.

To be mistaken, on the other hand, to miss the truth, to fall into error, to be led astray--that is as improper as to be deranged and lose one's mind.

What is done in a manly and courageous spirit seems becoming to a man and proper; what is done in a contrary fashion is at once immoral and improper.

For indifference to public opinion implies not merely self-sufficiency, but even total lack of principle.

It is the function of justice not to do wrong to one's fellow-men; of considerateness, not to wound their feelings; and in this the essence of propriety is best seen.

For it is only when they agree with Nature's laws that we should give our approval to the movements not only of the body, but still more of the spirit.

Again, every action ought to be free from undue haste or carelessness; neither ought we to do anything for which we cannot assign a reasonable motive; for in these words we have practically a definition of duty.

Then, too, certain bounds must be observed in our amusements and we must be careful not to carry things too far and, swept away by our passions, lapse into some shameful excess.

One's physical comforts and wants, therefore, should be ordered according to the demands of health and strength, not according to the calls of pleasure.

And if we will only bear in mind the superiority and dignity of our nature, we shall realize how wrong it is to abandon ourselves to excess and to live in luxury and voluptuousness, and how right it is to live in thrift, self-denial…

For the inexperience of youth requires the practical wisdom of age to strengthen and direct it.

And this time of life is above all to be protected against sensuality and trained to toil and endurance of both mind and body, so as to be strong for active duty in military and civil service.

And even when they wish to relax their minds and give themselves up to enjoyment they should beware of excesses and bear in mind the rules of modesty.

They should endeavour, too, by means of their counsel and practical wisdom to be of as much service as possible to their friends and to the young, and above all to the state.

But there is nothing against which old age has to be more on its guard than against surrendering to feebleness and idleness, while luxury, a vice in any time of life, is in old age especially scandalous.

But if excess in sensual indulgence is added to luxurious living, it is a twofold evil; for old age not only disgraces itself; it also serves to make the excesses of the young more shameless.

It is, then, peculiarly the place of a magistrate to bear in mind that he represents the state and that it is his duty to uphold its honour and its dignity, to enforce the law, to dispense to all their constitutional rights, and to…

But there is nothing so essentially proper as to maintain consistency in the performance of every act and in the conception of every plan.

Robbery, fraud, and adultery, for example, are immoral in deed, but it is not indecent to name them.

If it is grave, he should treat it with seriousness; if humorous, with wit.

And above all, he should be on the watch that his conversation shall not betray some defect in his character.

Accordingly, if the talk begins to drift off to other channels, pains should be taken to bring it back again to the matter in hand--but with due consideration to the company present; for we are not all interested in the same things at all…

We must observe, too, how far the conversation is agreeable and, as it had a reason for its beginning, so there should be a point at which to close it tactfully.

We must also take the greatest care to show courtesy and consideration toward those with whom we converse.

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.