Thursday, July 9, 2009

Doing splendidly if they have in them mere images of virtue

Cicero, On Duties, Book I, p.20
Since we do not live with men who are perfect and clearly wise, but with those who are doing splendidly if the have in them mere images of virtue, I think that we must understand this too: no one should be wholly neglected if any indication of virtue appears in him; moreover, one must particularly foster those who are most graced with the gentler virtues, modesty, restraint and [justice]...for a brave and great spirit in a man who is not perfect nor wise is generally too impetuous; but those other virtues seem rather to attach themselves to a good man.

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