Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
An unjust peace is better than a just war.
Interpretation
Sometimes it is better to accept an imperfect situation than to engage in conflict that causes greater harm.
This quote highlights the idea that the consequences of war—suffering, loss, and destruction—often outweigh the benefits of pursuing justice through violent means. Cicero suggests that in situations where peace can be maintained, even if it is not entirely fair or just, it is preferable to the chaos and devastation brought about by war, which is inherently violent and harmful.
In practice
In a discussion about international relations, one might use this quote to suggest diplomacy over military action.
Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.
Those wars are unjust which are undertaken without provocation. For only a war waged for revenge or defence can actually be just.
Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak.
Nothing contributes to the entertainment of the reader more, than the change of times and the vicissitudes of fortune.
No one has the right to be sorry for himself for a misfortune that strikes everyone.
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.
Everyone wants a better life: very few of us want to be better people.
Prison is where you promise yourself the right to live.
Opinions are formed in a process of open discussion and public debate, and where no opportunity for the forming of opinions exists, there may be moods -moods of the masses and moods of individuals, the latter no less fickle and unreliable than the former -but no opinion.
I have no influence with the rising generation. All my arguments have failed to induce them to set bounds to their wants.
If you are never alone you cannot know yourself. And if you do not know yourself, you will begin to fear the void.
I went inside my heart to see how it was. Something there makes me hear the whole world weeping.
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