Cicero was a Roman Philosopher, who wrote a book called On Obligations some 2050 years ago. I recently read that after printing the Bible, the next book ever printed on that 1st printing press by Gutenberg was Cicero's On Obligations. Since I am not a big reader of the Bible, having had my fill of the torah when I had to and deciding the Virgin Birth was a hoax, amongst other hoax's, I thought I should read this other very historic and ancient book to see what was in it.
No one can accuse Cicero of succinctness, but the book is only 126 pages which I can summarize here. His thoughts are ones I wish our politicians would remember today, but I am not sure how much some of them read and fewer of them are contemplative or altruistic.
Cicero, as the title clearly shows, was concerned that his son, to whom these words were addressed, had a clear view on how to live a moral life. Paramount to that, was a living a life dedicated to Obligation in the both the physical world and as a tool of moral guidance. Unique to humans, Cicero pointed out the insatiable desire to know the truth as a key to living one's life. While providing for the family's essential needs, it is necessary to promote the cohesion of the community through justice and charity. Cicero also pointed out that benevolence cannot go beyond the means to afford it.
Cicero developed 5 approaches to managing obligations: What is fitting? What is honorable? How should Wealth be used? How should Talent by used? How should conflict in the answers to those 4 questions be resolved? Most importantly he said; "Avoid the conceit of making dogmatic claims by giving a wide berth to rash judgement which is greatly alien to true wisdom." He felt that Orators had the duty to make sure their words were useful in satisfying the goals of a society fulfilling its obligations.
Cicero concluded this book by pointing out that aiming for usefulness was never at odds with being honorable. And a little before the end, although he pre-dated Machiavelli by 1550 years, he hinted that he was well aware of the point of view that power could dictate control, but he felt that such control would not gain the support of the people and those who practiced such belief's without being true to Cicero's views on Obligations were doomed to unhappy endings. Of course, Cicero found himself on the wrong side of Mark Anthony after the death of Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony had him killed. But perhaps, Rome might not have fallen if Cicero's sense of duty and righteousness had been followed more closely by the subsequent leaders of Rome.
An interesting read and now I can say I read the 2nd book ever printed.
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