On Duty

Author: [Ancient Rome] Cicero
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-04-01
Features: The publication of the Chinese translation of Cicero's On Duties undoubtedly holds significant importance. The uniqueness of On Duties is first evident in the aspect of paternity it embodies. On Duties is a letter written by Cicero to his son Marcus, who was studying under the Academic philosopher Crates of Athens. Forced to live in seclusion due to political adversaries, Cicero wrote this work to distract himself from the solitude and drama of his circumstances. On Duties is not any other kind of work but a theoretical treatise. It is a summary by a great and immensely wise statesman of every activity he engaged in throughout his life in pursuit of practicing the moral standards he advocated. This standard is not judged based on whether it is beneficial to oneself, but rather on whether it is the right thing to do, and therefore should be done, serving as a guide for action.