When Cicero was writing De Officiis (On Responsible Actions), he was preparing to enter Rome in what would be his final stand for the Republic against Mark Antony. He knew that the chances of success were slim, and that defeat would mean his death. It is, therefore, no coincidence that Cicero addresses the treatise to his son, Marcus. In a way, it is Cicero’s last message as a father. The text is not only for his biological son Marcus, but the youth of Rome as well. A few years earlier when he defended the Republic against the conspiracy of Cataline, Cicero received the title Pater Patriae (Father of the Fatherland) and he took this very seriously. Leading by example, Cicero stood up and made a stand against tyranny. His enemies could not achieve their goals with him standing in the way. In the attempt to silence him once and for all, they chased him down and slaughtered him like an animal. His head and hands were chopped off and displayed for all to see in the forum to discourage anyone from following in his footsteps. The silence never came. More than 2000 years later, Cicero’s lives on through his work. He is remembered as Rome’s greatest statesman and has offered inspiration and guidance to generation after generation for 2 millennia. Accordingly, the following dialogue will be a fictional conversation between a father and a son. I write it to honour, not the dominating patriarchs, but the Cicero’s of the world, the courageous and caring fathers who lead by example and take responsibility, above and beyond what is asked of them.
Father: My son, you come to me for counsel about what you should aim for in life. This is a decision you must ultimately make on your own, but I will not deprive you of the counsel you ask for.
Son: Father, although it would be much easier if you were to give me direction in life, I understand why I must make the decision myself. I thank you for not using my dependence on you to dominate me and force me down a road that is not my own. Still, your counsel will greatly help me clear a road for myself. I am torn between two options. I cannot decide whether it is better to live a private life or a public life. A private life would allow me to enjoy independence and simplicity and would be a far more relaxing and easy way of living. A public life would still allow me to enjoy independence, but it would be much harder to achieve it. I would have to work harder and confront more obstacles to obtain my goal. However, I think the rewards of more wealth, power, and fame might make the difficulty worth it.
F: Both the private and public life can lead one to happiness and neither should be ruled out too quickly. There is no answer here that works for everyone. For one person, a private life, might be the best option. For someone else, a private life would be the wrong decision and not lead to happiness at all. The importance lies not in the life you choose, but the reasons why you choose it. So, why do you think most people choose to live a public life?
S: They want to acquire wealth, power, and glory! These things allow one to enjoy life on a level many people can only dream of! They say money does not buy happiness, but it sure seems like it does.
F: Yes, these are the most common reasons. However, these people forget that these things only give temporary happiness. True happiness does not come from outside. It comes from inside. When we hold onto the false belief that material possessions and fame can bring us happiness, our minds are thrown into agitation. The result is that our emotions (perturbationes) are aroused. Desire takes hold of us and pulls us away from nature. This state of mind is not conducive to true happiness. In fact, this way of living is comparable to the life of the drug addict on the street. One will be stuck living life looking for the next hit to satisfy an unsatiable desire. If you want consistent happiness, you cannot give yourself over to desire and let it dictate the direction of your life. If it is desire that leads you to a public life, it is best avoided.
S: So, if we want to live a truly happy life, we must combat our emotions. The easiest way to do this is to live a private life. In that way, we can avoid the temptations of wealth, power, and glory which the public life offers. But, if these things are not to be sought after, what reason is there to choose a public life?
F: Son, you must remember that we live in a political community. Where would society be if everyone chose a private life? We would be left with no community and no social life. Of course, it is more difficult to achieve true happiness in a public life, but it is when we take on the public life that we can be most beneficial to mankind. When we live a public life, we can be the most generous (benignissimus superl. adj.). Of course, the private life is much easier and offers much. Your needs are fewer. You are less vulnerable to the blows of fortune. Even if you do experience misfortune, your fall will be less severe. You cause less trouble for others as well. However, since we live in social communities the task of governing and serving the community must be done by someone. Therefore, if someone has the natural capability to take on the difficulty of public life, it would be selfish and unjust if they did not.
S: What makes someone more capable of taking on the difficulty of public life?
F: What makes people more capable of taking on the difficulties of public life is a great inward strength (magnitudo animi). This great inward strength makes one more capable of dealing with emotions and facing the temptations of public life. Indeed, if such people of inward strength choose a private life, they are not combatting their emotions. They are choosing the easy way out, allowing their fear of hard work, their fear of failure and their fear of humiliation and disrepute lead them to become selfish and unjust. They are really pursuing a desire for luxury and ease. When one abandons the responsible action (officium) owed to one’s community, true happiness is not the result. Instead, one is left with an empty feeling. As humans, we are made to assist one another.
S: So, the private life should be chosen by those who do not have the ability to act with courage (fortitudo)? When someone does not have courage, the temptations and more intense emotions that come with a public life, will be too strong and will lead the mind away from nature and true happiness? However, if someone is privileged with a great inward strength and has the capability to act with courage (fortitudo) and generosity (benignitas), they should not hesitate to enter into public life because it is the responsible action (officium) of those with a great inward strength (magnitudo animi) to do so and take responsibility for serving and governing the community?
F: Yes Son! Exactly! You must remember that you cannot find happiness by escaping responsible action! But take your time when you ponder whether you are one of these people of inward energy or not. It takes great honesty to differentiate between what is truly a strong inward strength and what is a strong emotion (perturbationes). It is difficult, but it is not impossible! Listen to your internal compass and be aware of your mind when it slips into irrationality and emotion. You will not be guided in the wrong direction. Trust your instincts! I see much potential in your future! Your journey has just begun!
Via Ciceronis 