1. I believe, Marcus, my son, that I have fully1
explained in the preceding book how duties are
derived from moral rectitude, or rather from each of
virtue's four divisions. My next step is to trace out
those kinds of duty which have to do with the comforts of life, with the means of acquiring the things
that people enjoy, with influence, and with wealth.
[In this connection, the question is, as I said: (1)
what is expedient, and what is inexpedient; and (2)
of several expedients, which is of more and which
of most importance.] These questions I shall proceed to discuss, after I have said a few words in
vindication of my present purpose and my principles
of philosophy.
1 Statement of subject.
M. Tullius Cicero. De Officiis. With An English Translation. Walter Miller. Cambridge. Harvard University Press; Cambridge, Mass., London, England. 1913.
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