Cicero: Frugality – All Virtues in One

Cicero Money Quote saying that being frugal, by necessity incorporates all other admirable qualities. Cicero said:
 

 

“Frugality includes all the other virtues” — Cicero

Cicero is suggesting that frugality or prudence in managing one’s resources encompasses or relies upon demonstrating many other virtues. The best interpretation is that being frugal requires exercising temperance, diligence, patience and wisdom – virtues that allow one to avoid wasting and instead make the most of what they have through careful planning and restraint.

Living within one’s means necessitates prioritizing needs over wants, delaying gratification, and carefully weighing costs and benefits of all expenditures. In this view, frugality is an overarching virtue that incorporates and depends on demonstrating other positive character traits in order to achieve maximum benefit from limited financial means.

Birthday: January 3, 106 BC – Death: 7, December 43 BC

Cicero: Uncorruptable Man Admired

Cicero Money Quotation saying anyone who cannot be bought or convinced to sell out would be admired by everyone who may not be as wise. Cicero said:
 

 

“That man is admired above all men, who is not influenced by money” — Cicero

Cicero is saying that the most admirable person is someone who is not swayed or influenced by money. The best interpretation is that true virtue and character are shown by a person’s willingness to make decisions and act in a way that is not dictated by thoughts of financial gain or the prospect of personal enrichment.

Cicero suggests that integrity and strength of principle are best demonstrated by an ability to withstand the corrupting influence that the love of wealth and desire for material rewards can potentially exert over one’s choices and behavior. A person who remains uninfluenced by money in this sense maintains the highest ethical standards.

Birthday: January 3, 106 BC – Death: 7, December 43 BC

Cicero on Faith & Credit

Cicero Money Quotation saying honest credit and trusted debt are essential in order to make debtors pay their bills for credit owed. Cicero said:
 

 

“Nothing so cements and holds together all the parts of a society as faith or credit, which can never be kept up unless men are under some force or necessity of honestly paying what they owe to one another” — Cicero

Cicero is saying that trust and integrity in financial obligations are crucial for binding together all aspects of a cohesive society. The best interpretation is that when people feel they can rely on others honoring their debts and commitments through honest repayment, it creates faith and confidence that enables cooperation, trade and mutual prosperity among members of that society.

However, for such faith or credit to be maintained over the long run, there must be some compelling force or necessity ensuring that individuals actually fulfill their financial duties to one another in good faith. In other words, a well-functioning society depends on members upholding their end of economic agreements, and there needs to be real accountability for reneging on debts and obligations people owe each other.

Birthday: January 3, 106 BC – Death: 7, December 43 BC

Cicero: Public Bankruptcy

Cicero Money Quotation saying more things change, the more they stay the same … is it possible the same economic warnings have existed forever. Cicero said:
 

 

“The budget should be balanced, the treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt” — Cicero

Cicero is advocating for fiscal responsibility and restraint in government spending. The best interpretation is that he felt it was important for the treasury to be solvent through a balanced budget, debts paid down, spending controlled to avoid waste or excess, foreign aid limited to prevent overextension, and officials kept humble and accountable.

His message suggests that a prudent, financially sound approach is necessary for the long term stability and security of the state.

Cicero’s quote promotes the idea that Rome’s power and prosperity depended on maintaining a strong economy through disciplined fiscal management rather than overspending or overcommitting limited resources.

Birthday: January 3, 106 BC – Death: 7, December 43 BC

Marcus Tullius Cicero: Wars Endless Cash

Cicero Money Quotation saying that the cost of battle between nations is beyond what anyone would spend if they incorporated the final expenses and every cost factored into battle plans. Cicero said:
 

 

“The sinews of war are infinite money” — Marcus Tullius Cicero

In this quote, Marcus Tullius Cicero is referring to the importance of money for waging war. Specifically, he means that having adequate financial resources and the ability to spend heavily on military equipment, supplies, provisions, and soldiers’ pay is absolutely essential for a country to successfully conduct a war.

Without “infinite money”, or very large financial means, it would be nearly impossible for a nation to fight a prolonged war against another well-funded opponent. So in short, Cicero is emphasizing that money is one of the most vital factors, or “sinews”, required to wage war effectively.

Birthday: January 3, 106 BC – Death: 7, December 43 BC