Cicero: On Duties (De Officiis)

Cicero: On Duties (De Officiis)

• Genre: Nonfiction; Philosophy; Ethics
• Originally Published: Circa 44 BCE
• Reading Level/Interest: College/Adult
• Structure/Length: The work is divided into three books, though the exact length can vary depending on the edition and translation.
• Central Concern: On Duties is a philosophical treatise in which Cicero explores the nature of moral duty and how it relates to both the individual and society. Drawing from Stoic and Academic Skeptic traditions, Cicero delves into what constitutes a virtuous life, how one should make moral decisions, and the role of duty in personal and public life. The work was intended as advice to his son, Marcus, and covers both theoretical discussions of virtue as well as practical guidance on leadership and public service.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Philosophical and ethical discussions which might require background knowledge in classical philosophy; references to historical events and figures of the Roman Republic

Marcus Tullius Cicero, Author

• Bio: Born 106 BCE; died 43 BCE; influential Roman statesman, orator, and philosopher; staunch supporter of the Roman Republic and its traditions; faced political struggles, exile, and ultimately assassination due to his beliefs and positions; considered one of Rome’s greatest orators and prose stylists
• Other Works: On the Republic; On the Laws; Philippics; Pro Milone; On Friendship (De Amicitia)