On Duties: Cicero’s Essential Text on Virtue, Responsibility, and the Good Life
(De Officiis) - Complete in Three Books
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A seminal work of moral and political philosophy by the Ancient Roman statesman and thinker Marcus Tuilius Cicero.
Written in 44 BC during the final months of his life, the treatise sets out Cicero’s mature reflections on how to live honourably, fulfil moral obligations, and balance personal conduct with public responsibility. Framed as a letter to his son, the work draws deeply on Greek stoic thought and the teachings of Panaetius.
Organised into three books, the volume examines the foundations of ethical life. Book I explores what is honourable (honestum), identifying the four cardinal virtues from which all duties arise. Book II turns to what is advantageous (utile), addressing ambition, influence, and success in public life. Book III confronts situations in which moral duty appears to conflict with self-interest, arguing that true advantage and virtue can never be opposed.
Through its historical examples and careful reasoning, On Duties stands as one of the most influential ethical texts in Western history. Read and admired throughout the centuries, it remains a timeless guide to integrity, civic responsibility, and the enduring question of how to live a good and honourable life—an essential text for understanding Stoic ethics and classical philosophy.
Cicero
Cicero gave voice to the ideals of reason, duty, and civic responsibility in a turbulent age. Born in 106 BC in Rome, he rose through politics and law to become one of the Republic's greatest orators. A belief in natural law, justice, and the power of eloquence shaped his philosophy and public life.Persuasion and ethical reflection lie at the core of his work. In works such as On Duties and On the Republic, he explored morality, governance, and the role of virtue in public life. Thoughtful writing reveals a vision of leadership grounded in wisdom, integrity, and service to others.Enduring influence has made him a cornerstone of Western thought and rhetoric. Philosophers, statesmen, and scholars have long drawn from his ideas on law, ethics, and communication. Today, his work remains widely read, valued for its clarity, insight, and lasting impact on political and moral philosophy.
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