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Hey everyone,

Here is my next installment for the weekly Positive Thinking quotes.   Often in life we can get a little down and sometimes even a simple quote can inspire us to push through to the next day.  So while this might not be a life changing Blog post, it may give you a smile, or a burst of momentum on a slow day.

Roman Writer and Politician Cicero

This week’s quotes come from Roman Politician Cicero. You have probably heard the name before, if not details of this amazing man’s life.  Or you may know his name from the Shakespeare play Julius Caesar, or the story of Caesar in general.  You may know his name for a street or school in your town.  Cicero’s legacy is among the greatest and most enduring of all time.

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) was born in the Roman Republic which stretched from Spain to the modern day Israel, including Ancient Greece, parts of Turkey, Egypt and most of the Northern African coast.  In his adult life he became renowned for his speaking skill, his lawyer career and skill at interpreting the law, his term as Consul (or Head of State), and his philosophical writings.  He is also known for being involved (on both sides) in the famous transition of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire, sparked by Julius Caesar’s history-changing crossing of the River Rubicon to take control of Rome.  Cicero stood for Republic values and traditions and freedom and was one of many tutors of Octavian (Augustus), Caesar’s heir and the first Emperor of Rome.   Cicero eventually lost his life standing for his principles and his life and teachings still impact people today.  He lived in a time of Caesar, Augustus, Mark Antony, Brutus, Cassius, Pompey, and Cleopatra.  Even Jesus was born within years of Cicero’s life.  And Cicero’s legacy continues to this day just as strong as his contemporaries, if not stronger than most.

Ancient Rome - Similiar to today in many ways

Cicero’s writings on philosophy, law, government, ethics, and positive thinking have lasted for over 2,000 years and are a big part of the United States of America.  The Founding Fathers nearly unanimously shared Cicero as an important inspiration for the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.   His writings on Natural Law and the Rights of Man were integral to the founding of America.   His teachings can be seen and felt in many countries around the world over the last few centuries.  The concept of man being ‘endowed with natural inalienable rights’ is a personification of Cicero’s thinking, and much of thinking of Pre-Empire Rome.  To quote John Adams, “As all the ages of the world have not produced a greater statesman and philosopher united than Cicero, his authority should have great weight.”

For the man who coined the phrase “Swan Song”, Cicero’s Swan Song is his impact on Modern society.  He reminds us that we can do something special with our lives and leave our own legacies, no matter our station in life.  He should know: he rose from near obscurity to the top tiers of power in Rome.

US Declaration of Independence- partially inspired by Cicero's works

Cicero is also a wealth of practical inspiration and positive thinking.

Now for some Cicero quotes:

What one has, one ought to use; and whatever he does, he should do with all his might.
-  Cicero

A home without books is a body without soul.
-  Cicero

Confidence is that feeling by which the mind embarks in great and honorable courses with a sure hope and trust in itself.
-  Cicero

A happy life consists in tranquility of mind.
-  Cicero

A life of peace, purity, and refinement leads to a calm and untroubled old age.
-  Cicero

A mind without instruction can no more bear fruit than can a field, however fertile, without cultivation.
-  Cicero

Advice is judged by results, not by intentions.
-  Cicero

Live as brave men; and if fortune is adverse, front its blows with brave hearts.
-  Cicero

If only every man would make proper use of his strength and do his utmost, he need never regret his limited ability.
-  Cicero

As I approve of a youth that has something of the old man in him, so I am no less pleased with an old man that has something of the youth. He that follows this rule may be old in body, but can never be so in mind.
-  Cicero

Ability without honor is useless.
-  Cicero

Some very wise words from so long ago. Cicero’s words still ring true.  And his life and writings are definitely worth further reading.

To see the last Positive Thoughts (09/14) from Robert Schuller, go here: 09/14 Positive Thoughts.

To a positive and successful week,

And to a life fully lived,

- Ryan Travis, Writer and Social Marketing

www.maxprosystem.com