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Marcus Tullius Cicero · 44 BC · Philosophy

The complete
De officiis.

All three books, with Walter Miller’s 1913 Latin text and English translation, plus Lewis & Short word study.

I

161 sections

Moral Goodness

Cicero sets out the nature of duty and the four sources of moral goodness: wisdom, justice, courage, and decorum.
II

89 sections

Expediency

The inquiry turns to advantage, reputation, public service, friendship, generosity, and the proper use of wealth.
III

121 sections

Right and Expediency

Cicero tests apparent conflicts between moral right and advantage, arguing that genuine utility can never oppose virtue.

Latin and English: Walter Miller (1913) · Digital texts: Perseus Digital Library · Licensed by Perseus for non-commercial reuse with attribution