Category: Ciceronian Vocabulary
-
17. Libertas: Liberty and the Capacity to Resist
We have finally arrived at our vantage point from which we can see ourselves and the world from a different perspective. Over the last few months, we have discussed a wide range of Ciceronian vocabulary which has led us, step by step, to a deeper understanding. We have gone from…
-
16. Decorum: Appropriateness and finding the true self.
We have finally arrived at the fourth quality of leadership. In standard Stoicism this quality is known as Sophrosyne (Greek: σωφροσύνη) or temperantia in Latin. In English, we can understand this as temperance, moderation, or self-control. Cicero uses the term decorum for this quality of leadership. The word decor means ‘what is…
-
15. Father and Son
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…
-
14. Fortitudo: Courage and the Drive for Independence
Over the last two weeks we have discussed Justice (iustitia), the quality of leadership (virtus) which maintains trust and allows us to live in social communities together. It was also the foundation of generosity (benignitas) which brought humans into harmony with existence and even closer to one another. Today, our…
-
13. Benignitas: Generosity and the Meaning of Life
Last week we discussed the second quality of leadership, justice (iustitia). We found that it was the responsibility of everyone to be just, both passively and actively. Not only was it important not to harm others, but it was also necessary to step in and stop others from harming others…
Via Ciceronis 