Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
I cease not to advocate peace; even though unjust it is better than the most just war.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Cicero emphasizes the importance of peace over the justification of war, suggesting peace, even if imperfect, is preferable.
In this quote, Cicero argues that advocating for peace is vital, highlighting that even an unjust peace is more desirable than entering into a just war. His words reflect the idea that the devastation and suffering caused by war outweigh any moral righteousness that might be derived from it, thereby promoting the notion that efforts should always be directed toward achieving harmony rather than conflict.
Themes
PeaceWarAdvocacyConflictCicero
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech about the importance of diplomacy over military intervention.
More from Marcus Tullius Cicero
All quotes βThose wars are unjust which are undertaken without provocation. For only a war waged for revenge or defence can actually be just.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
Nothing contributes to the entertainment of the reader more, than the change of times and the vicissitudes of fortune.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
No one has the right to be sorry for himself for a misfortune that strikes everyone.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
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.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
Similar quotes
Peace is a question of will. All conflicts can be settled, and there are no excuses for allowing them to become eternal.
Martti AhtisaariRead
If the United Nations once admits that international disputes can be settled by using force, then we will have destroyed the foundation of the organization and our best hope of establishing a world order.
Dwight D. EisenhowerRead
Instead of building the peace by attacking injustices like starvation, disease, illiteracy, political and economic servitude, we spend a trillion dollars on war since 1946, until hatred and conflict have become the international preoccupation.
Daniel BerriganRead
Before peace between the nations, we have to find peace inside that small nation which is our own being.
B.K.S. IyengarRead
The ultimate goal is two states for two people: Israel as a Jewish state and the homeland for the Jewish people and the State of Palestine as the homeland for the Palestinian people - each state in joined self-determination, mutual recognition, and peace.
Barack ObamaRead
It must be a peace without victory
Woodrow WilsonRead