25 Marcus Tullius Cicero Quotes

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106BC-43BC) was a Roman speaker, statesman, philosopher and writer. He was considered by many as one of ancient Rome’s greatest orators.

Marcus Cicero was regarded as Rome’s most feared politician and one of the greatest lawyers and statesmen of all times. Machiavelli, John Adams and Winston Churchill all studied and were influenced his writings.

As one of Rome’s most memorable and keenly observant writers, Marcus Cicero lived through some of the most turbulent years in the history of Rome.

I hope that you enjoy this collection of Marcus Tullius Cicero quotes from ancient Rome.

Cicero Quotes

1. A room without books is like a body without a soul. ― Marcus Cicero

2. The wise are instructed by reason, average minds by experience, the stupid by necessity and the brute by instinct. ― Marcus Cicero

3. The whole glory of virtue resides in activity. ― Marcus Cicero

4. Never go to excess but let moderation be your guide. ― Marcus Cicero

5. Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others. ― Marcus Cicero

6. If we are not ashamed to think it, we should not be ashamed to say it. ― Marcus Cicero

7. Your enemies can kill you but only your friends can hurt you. ― Marcus Cicero

8. In times of war, the law falls silent. ― Marcus Cicero

9. The safety of the people shall be the highest law. ― Marcus Cicero

10. While there’s life, there’s hope. ― Marcus Cicero

11. Poor is the nation that has no heroes, but poorer still is the nation that having heroes, fails to remember and honor them. ― Marcus Cicero

12. We must not say that every mistake is a foolish one. ― Marcus Cicero

13. Any man can make mistakes but only an idiot persists in his error. ― Marcus Cicero

14. The art of life is to deal with problems as they arise, rather than destroy one’s spirit by worrying about them too far in advance. ― Marcus Cicero

15. The authority of those who teach is often an obstacle to those who want to learn. ― Marcus Cicero

16. Nobody can give you wiser advice than yourself. ― Marcus Cicero

17. What then is freedom? The power to live as one wishes. ― Marcus Cicero

18. The greater the difficulty, the greater the glory. ― Marcus Cicero

19. The higher we are placed, the more humbly we should walk. ― Marcus Cicero

20. Silence is one of the great arts of conversation. ― Marcus Cicero

21. Loyalty is what we seek in friendship. ― Marcus Cicero

22. If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. ― Marcus Cicero

23. It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, the force of character, and judgment. ― Marcus Cicero

24. The shifts of fortune test the reliability of friends. ― Marcus Cicero

25. Nature has planted in our minds an insatiable longing to see the truth. ― Marcus Cicero