On Duties

In a World of Compromise, Can Ambition and Integrity Coexist?

In 44 BC, as the Roman Republic tore itself apart in a bloody civil war, its greatest statesman, Marcus Tullius Cicero, was forced into retirement. Witnessing the catastrophic consequences of ambition untethered from morality, he wrote his final masterpiece, On Duties-a timeless guide to navigating the most complex ethical dilemmas of leadership, friendship, and personal life.

Written as a letter to his son, this is not a book of abstract theories. It is a practical handbook for anyone facing the brutal conflict between what is expedient-what is profitable, powerful, or convenient-and what is honorable. Can a decision be truly advantageous if it is shameful? Can a good person justify a small injustice for a great personal gain?

Drawing on a lifetime of experience in the law courts and the Roman Senate, Cicero uses powerful historical examples to create a master class in moral reasoning. From the heroic integrity of Regulus, who chose torture over breaking an oath, to the shameless cunning of a fraudulent real estate deal, he presents vivid case studies that force us to confront our own values.

This definitive edition by The Lyceum Press is crafted for the modern reader, making Cicero's wisdom more accessible than ever before.

Inside, you will find:

• A New, Accessible Translation: Cicero's brilliant and forceful prose is rendered in clear, direct English that speaks to the challenges of the 21st century.

• Essential Historical Context: A compelling Foreword explains the dramatic political turmoil in which the book was written, and a detailed biography of Cicero brings to life the man who lived and died by the principles he espoused.

Through these pages, you will learn how to:

• Build a reputation founded on unshakable integrity.

• Make difficult decisions when your duties to friends, family, and country seem to conflict.

• Understand that true long-term success can never be built on a foundation of dishonor.

• Develop a timeless ethical framework for your life, your career, and your leadership.

For over two thousand years, On Duties has been the essential guide for leaders, thinkers, and anyone seeking to live a worthy life in a flawed world. This is the book that inspired Church Fathers and Renaissance thinkers, and it remains the ultimate manual for principled action.