Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
The magistrates are the ministers for the laws, the judges their interpreters, the rest of us are servants of the law, that we all may be free.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the role of laws and those who interpret them in maintaining freedom for all citizens.
Cicero's quote reflects the essential function of magistrates and judges in the legal system, highlighting that their roles are not merely authoritative but are meant to serve the greater objective of freedom for all individuals. By suggesting that we are all 'servants of the law,' he underlines the idea that laws are a collective framework that guides society, ensuring that every person remains free within that structure. Ultimately, it advocates for a legal system that functions in service to the people rather than as an oppressive force.
Themes
LawFreedomJusticeGovernmentCicero
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of respecting the legal system, one might cite this quote to emphasize how laws protect our freedoms.
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Advice in old age is foolish; for what can be more absurd than to increase our provisions for the road the nearer we approach to our journey's end.
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