On Obligations: De Officiis (Oxford World's Classics) [Paperback]

Once again I'm amazed to be the first to be writing the review of a book over two thousand years old, and such an influential book at that, and once again I'm amazed that Cicero's works have become the hinterlands of the literate public, as reflected here at Amazon.com anyway. Perhaps I'm wrong and there is some other hugely popular translation of Cicero's De Officiis that I'm unaware of; let's hope so.

This work takes its place in my mind among a very small handful of special books dealing directly with moral philosophy in the Western tradition: Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, Epictetus' Discourses, Marcus Aurelius'
Meditations, and Kant's Lectures on Ethics. Unlike some of those others, it is a practical work by a practical and worldly man, who hoped to instill in his son and countrymen some practical wisdom on appropriate ethical behavior in public and private life.

This work was written toward the end of Cicero's Life in 44 B.C. as a set of three treatises dedicated to his son, who was off studying philosophy in Athens. Basically, the first treatise deals with honorable conduct, the second with what is useful (utile), and the third with the potential conflict between the two. Cicero considered himself an adherent of the Academic school, but the book mainly espouses Stoic philosophy: His son voiced allegiance to the Peripatetics, but worried Cicero by leading the life (at best) of an Epicurean. So all four of the main philosophical approaches of that time are brought into play. But a wider theme is nicely mentioned in the introduction as well: that the De Officiis, compared to Cicero's other works, was "more directly a political manifesto, addressed much more closely to the concerns of a Rome still reeling from the effects of the Roman revolution engineered by Julius Caesar". Indeed, it was written, as were all his philosophical works, late in life after his political career was marginalized by Caesar's overthrow of the republic.

This edition itself is another wonderful book put out by the folks at the Oxford University Press in their Oxford World's Classics series. I have several in my personal library and each is wonderfully thought out and rendered. Preceding the actual text there is a series of very helpful preliminary sections, such as a list of abbreviations of works by Cicero and others, an introduction, a summary of the text, notes on the text, notes on the translation, a select bibliography, and a "Chronology of Cicero the Philosopher".

Among these early sections, all of which are really quite thoughtful and helpful, the introduction stands out as exceptionally good. It is divided into six sections which cover, 1) The political background of the text, 2) Cicero as philosopher, 3) "De Officiis: Title, Content, Audience", 4) Sources, 5) Hellenistic schools and ethical theory, and finally 6) The subsequent influence of the treatise [from later Roman and early Christian thinkers through such giants as Augustine, Boethius, Peter Abelard, Thomas Aquinas, Dante, Petrarch, Erasmus, Milton, Locke, Voltaire, Hume, Adam Smith, and Kant].

The text is wonderful. I have not yet read the Latin original, though it is available in the Loeb Classical Library and I'd like to some day, so I don't know how accurate the translation is, but the language here is clear and pleasant to read. Following the text there are copious and highly useful explanatory notes and an index and glossary of names to round out this outstanding book.

To sum up, from the introduction: "It will be clear that Cicero is no professional academic. `These works do not attempt, and therefore should not be expected, to make the same kind of appeal as, for instance, the epistemological and metaphysical speculations that were fashionable in the last century . . . These writings deal with the kind of philosophy which concerns man as a political and social being'. Though his approach to problems is less sophisticated than that of modern philosophers, he dealt with issues of perennial concern, in ways comprehensible to those unschooled in, or impatient with, the abstruse discussion characteristic of the discipline today". No complaints here! It's a great book, with a lasting influence on the best in Western thought and civilization. Read it, and incorporate its wisdom into your own life.

This is one of the best translations of Cicero: easy to read, translated idiomatically and not word by word. Cicero's ideas are conveyed vividly and concisely. Lively translation and fun to read.

Cicero MUST be read and learnt - it is a MUST! - if you want to comprehend patriotism, freedom and love of your fellow citizens in general. Studying Cicero makes you understand what foolishness Communism, Socialism and even Capitalism advocate. The only true path to salvation is love of thy neighbor - I know sounds anachronistic, but it is true - Cicero's views are in perfect concord with Christianity. We all have our God-given obligation to care not for the capital, not for the chosen few, not even for the majority (as in the perverted forms of democracy), but for the true common and honorable good.

The print: low quality paper, formatting is average, the book's physical integrity still holds once you are through it, so overall a C+ print of an A+ translation of an A+ book.

John Brown

This book was part of my required reading list, so, of course, I had negative first impressions about it. However, as I began to read the novel, I enjoyed the stylistic elements as well as the theme of the novel. Overall, it was a good read.