[68]
Moreover, it would be inconsistent
for the man who is not overcome by fear to be overcome by desire, or for the man who has shown himself
invincible to toil to be conquered by pleasure. We
[p. 71]
must, therefore, not only avoid the latter, but also
beware of ambition for wealth; for there is nothing so
characteristic of narrowness and littleness of soul as
the love of riches; and there is nothing more honourable and noble than to be indifferent to money, if
one does not possess it, and to devote it to beneficence
and liberality, if one does possess it.
As I said before, we must also beware of ambition
for glory; for it robs us of liberty, and in defence of
liberty a high-souled man should stake everything.
And one ought not to seek military authority; nay,
rather it ought sometimes to be declined,1 sometimes
to be resigned.2
M. Tullius Cicero. De Officiis. With An English Translation. Walter Miller. Cambridge. Harvard University Press; Cambridge, Mass., London, England. 1913.
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