“Growing old is not so bad when you consider what the alternative is.”
“An angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes.”
“The best way to keep good acts in your memory is to refresh them with new ones.”
“When I’m dead, I would rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one.”
“Wise men are more dependent on fools than fools are on wise men.”
“When men choose to do nothing, they also learn to do evil.”
“I only start to speak when I’m sure that what I have to say is not better left unsaid.”
“Flee laziness, because the indolence of the soul is the decay of the body.”
“Don’t promise twice what you can do at once.”
“The wise man considers in silence whatever anyone says.”
“A person’s words can both conceal and reveal their inner soul.”
“Consider it the greatest of all virtues to restrain your tongue.”
“Everyone has the gift of speech. But few have the gift of wisdom.”
“Bitter are the roots of study . . . but their fruit is sweet.”
“If you want to live properly, don’t worry about what the unwise ones say.”
“Don’t be beholden to a tyrant for showing mercy. He has no right to rule over you in the first place.”
“Every person has the right to enjoy the fruits of their own labors.”
“Each man is the sole Lord and Judge of his own private actions.”
“Never think that common people should not have anything to do with their own governing.”
“If you could prevent a bad thing but do not, then you are, in effect, encouraging it.”
“When men disagree about things they think are important, they tend to disagree about everything else, as well.”
“I don’t know what treason is, if it is not betraying the liberty of your own people.”
About Cato the Younger
Cato the Younger, also known as Marcus Porcius Cato, was a Roman statesman and philosopher who lived from 95 BC to 46 BC. He was known for his strict adherence to traditional Roman values and his opposition to the corruption and excesses of the Roman Empire.
Cato was born into a wealthy and influential family in Rome, and was well-educated in the classics and the teachings of the Stoic philosophers. He began his political career as a quaestor, a financial officer, and quickly rose through the ranks to become a tribune, a senator, and eventually a consul.
Despite his aristocratic background, Cato was an advocate for the common people and was known for his integrity and dedication to public service. He was also a vocal opponent of Julius Caesar, who he believed threatened the traditional Roman way of life.
During his political career, Cato was instrumental in implementing several important reforms, including the introduction of a welfare system for the poor and the establishment of a public library in Rome. He was also a fierce defender of the Roman Republic and its values, and was a key figure in the civil wars that ultimately led to the end of the Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.
Cato was famous for his strict adherence to traditional Roman virtues, and was known for his ascetic lifestyle and his fierce opposition to corruption and excess. He was a strong advocate for self-reliance and self-discipline, and was known for his stoicism and his commitment to the principles of justice and virtue.
Despite his many accomplishments, Cato is perhaps best remembered for his tragic death. After the defeat of the Roman Republic, Cato was forced to flee to North Africa, where he continued to fight against the forces of Caesar. Eventually, he was defeated and took his own life rather than surrender to his enemies.
Cato the Younger was a complex and fascinating figure, and his legacy continues to inspire and influence political thought to this day. His steadfast commitment to traditional Roman values and his opposition to corruption and excess make him an enduring symbol of virtue and integrity.