We are lucky to still have remanants of Cicero’s writings. These writings have left us with a wealth of wise and thoughtful quotes. This  quote is a good example of Cicero’s poetic elegance even in the midst of a debate: “O tempora, o mores” (1)

We still use this phrase today: “Suum cuique” (2)

His observations are as sharp as ever: “Nihil est incertius vulgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum.” (3)

If he lived in modern times, he would’ve been an excellent political advisor: “Primum minima de malis” (4)

Either that or a philosopher: “Omnium enim rerum principia parva sunt” (5)

Or maybe even a lawyer: “noxiae poena par esto” (6)

He was a proponent of truth and was not afraid to offend members of his society. It’s no wonder his writings are still respected today: “Sed nescio quo modo nihil tam absurde dici potest quod non dicatur ab aliquo philosophorum” (7)

Translations:

(1) “O the times, O the customs”

In Catilinam I (Against Catilina, Speech One (63 B.C))

(2) “To each his own”

De Natura Deorum (On the Nature of the Gods III, 38)

(3)  “Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system” Pro Murena (In Defense of Murena 36)

(4) “ Of evils choose the least” De Officiis (On Duties III, 102)

(5)  “The beginnings of all things are small” De finibus bonorum et malorum (On the Ends of Good and Evil V, 58)

(6) “Let the punishment fit the offense” de Legibus (On the Laws III, 11)

(7) “Nothing so absurd can be said that some philosopher had not said it” De Divinatione (Concerning  Divination II, 119)