A moderate life

Author: Marcus Tullius Cicero
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2003-01-01
Features: The three authors of this series were all highly active and accomplished in politics during the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. Not only did they hold special social and political statuses, but they also deeply reflected on their lives. These three works are the crystallization of their thoughts on life and society. All three were representatives of the Stoic school, with the core of their philosophy being "living in accordance with nature," where nature refers to the inevitability and law of the universe. They engaged in worldly affairs without being rigid and articulated refined ideas without bias. They cared about life, about themselves, but also about institutions, about communities, about health, and about wealth. Their upward-looking spirit reflected healthy thinking from a glorious period of the empire. Their thoughts were moderate, fair, shrewd, and unwavering. Indeed, they demonstrated a sufficient concern for wisdom, but their attention was more focused on the virtues of a citizen. They believed that a healthy life was one spent correctly handling worldly affairs. Individual existence is possible, but if not managed in the context of relationships with society and others, such a life would be fragile—even meaningless. In this sense, these books are more suitable for those who do not shy away from public affairs and are passionate about them. Of course, without a doubt, they are also worth reading for every independent thinker who does not get bogged down in overthinking.