Marcus Tullius Cicero Quotes

I am astonished at the pleasure one experiences in doing good; and I should be tempted to believe that what we call virtuous people have not so much merit as they lead us to suppose.

The great theatre for virtue is conscience.

The regular path of virtue is to be pursued without any bend, and from no view to emolument.

When about to commit a base deed, respect thyself, though there is no witness.

Honor and shame from no condition rise. Act well your part: there all the honor lies.

If you real desire is to be good, there is no need to wait for the money before you do it; you can do it now, this very moment, and just where you are.

The secret value of a conscience, that approves its own action, is lessened somewhat each time that it receives the reward of fame by displaying its deeds.

I know and do what is right better than many big men who read.

Innocence is not virtue. Virtue demands the active employment of an ardent mind in the promotion of the general good. No man can be eminently virtuous who is not accustomed to an extensive range of reflection.

The virtue involved in helping those one loves is not 'selflessness' or 'sacrifice,' but integrity.

Let no man be sorry he has done good, because others have done evil.

If you will express the requisite purity of character in action, you cannot do it better than through the spinning wheel.

If one acts rightly and honestly, it is difficult to decide whether it is the effect of integrity or skill.

The Superior Man is aware of Righteousness, the inferior man is aware of advantage.

It's easier to swoon in pious dreams Than do good actions.

Virtue is its own reward. There's a pleasure in doing good which sufficiently pays itself.

There is indeed a certain sense of gratification when we do a good deed that gives us inward satisfaction, and a generous pride that accompanies a good conscience…These testimonies of a good conscience are pleasant; and such a natural pleasure is very beneficial to us; it is the only payment that can never fail. “On Repentance

To be good and disagreeable is high treason against the royalty of virtue.

A man's first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart; his next, to escape the censures of the world: if the last interferes with the former, it ought to be entirely neglected; but otherwise there cannot be a greater satisfaction to an honest mind, than to see those approbations which it gives itself seconded by the applauses of the public.

All good men and women should be on their guard to avoid guilt, and even the suspicion of it.

Virtue is its own reward.

And I realize that the decision to be human is not one single instant, but is a thousand choices made very day. It is choices we make every second and requires constant vigilance. We have to fight to remain human.

Good men and bad men alike are capable of weakness. The difference is simply that a bad man will be proud all his life of one good deed - while an honest man is hardly aware of his good acts, but remembers a single sin for years on end.

Nothing of character is really permanent but virtue and personal worth.

It still remains true that no justification of virtue will enable a man to be virtuous.