Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
He cannot be strict in judging, who does not wish others to be strict judges of himself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
You cannot judge others harshly if you do not want to be judged in return.
This quote by Cicero emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and the golden rule of reciprocity in judgment. It suggests that one should not be overly critical of others without first considering their own faults, as the way we judge others often reflects our own desires for understanding and forgiveness.
Themes
JudgmentSelf-ReflectionReciprocityUnderstandingPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a discussion on morality and ethics.
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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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