Cicero+Part+1

In Book One of Cicero's De Officiis, he presents many positions and arguements he has on life to his son. Many of these positions, or even principles can be seen today. The positions we found to be the strongest are the following.

When looking at Cicero’s Duties, he outlines everyone’s moral duties. In chapter’s 12-22, Cicero brings up how people should always stick to the promises they make whether good or bad.//“If any person, induced by stress of circumstances, makes a promise to a public enemy, good faith must be observed in keeping such a promise”// Cicero also writes about how //“generosity should always exceed out means.”// This is because no matter what people in this world should always be kind to anyone that they encounter. He also includes that all people //“should be richly endowed with gentler virtues, moderation, and self control.”// Overall, Cicero’s Duties are all very true. The reason for this is that everyone in this world should be of good moral character. People should always be sure to be kind because if they are not they will eventually be neglected by all of those that they encounter.

Cicero believed that intellect should be valued more than physical strength and he condemned those who use violence to solve problems. This idea extends into his view of war, which was that it should only be used as a tactic to solve problems, not to create them. During war, he thought that men should be honorable and only punish those guilty of crime, not the conquered nation as a whole. Cicero also thought that leaders should have “mental poise” (section )in all situations and not let their emotions affect their decisions. He claimed that passion disturbs one’s thinking and should be avoided. This can be debated however, as many great leaders were only able to succeed what they did because of their passion and fervor. Another argument of Cicero’s was that “the higher we are placed, the more humbly should we walk.” (section ) Those with power should not openly flaunt it, as they will soon end up losing it. Also, Cicero believed that those who have more power should seek more advice concerning decisions he makes. This is an extremely debatable idea. It can be said that those who have more power should actually be warier of whose advice they take, as they will be more susceptible to people attempting to take advantage of them.

Concluding Cicero’s first book On Duties, it is apparent that Cicero believes that one has moral obligations to themselves, as well as society. It is evident that he considers people to be good by nature, and that every being strives (to some extent) to be the best possible; however he also mentions the importance of self-perception. “Moreover, as to these same parts of the body, whose uses are necessary, they call neither them nor their uses by their proper names, and what it is not disgraceful to do, if it be only in secret, it is obscene to name.”(section 35) This clearly shows that Cicero believes that people are supposed to use their positive aspects to the fullest extent, in order to gain others approval, and at the same time remain humble. This concept is discussed through different lights throughout, as he describes his position on both physical and mental features of a person. He believes that someone who is truly good will show their pride through their work and possessions, not show it off and talk about it (ones words has a possibility of “injuring their reputation”-section 37). “In truth, high standing in the community should be adorned by a house, not sought wholly from a house; nor should the owner be honored by the house, but the house by the owner.”(section 38) Furthermore, Cicero goes on to discuss how important it is to be liked by others, as that is the only way one can succeed. He also shows his view on material wealth and then explains that, “…wisdom is the greatest of the virtues, as it undoubtedly is, it follows of necessity that the duty derived from this fellowship and communion is the greatest of duties,”(section 43) which means that he believes that knowledge is far more valuable than the dollar. As one obtains wisdom they also gain self-perception, which is vital in Cicero’s eyes, as he believes that, “…considerate action is the result of knowledge and prudence.”(section 45)