Lucius Caelius Firmianus Lactantius, Roman Rhetorician and Christian Writer c. 250 - 317 A.D.

The Divine Institutions


[6, 5, 10] From this, therefore, it is clear, that the knowledge of good and evil is one thing, but virtue is another; for knowledge can exist without virtue. . . Virtue is not the knowing of good and evil. Rather virtue is the doing of good and not-doing of evil.  Knowledge, however, is in fact joined to virtue in such wise that knowledge precedes virtue, and virtue follows knowledge. Cognition is of no value unless it is followed by action.

Marcus Tullius Cicero, Roman Philosopher, Politician, Lawyer, Rhetorician, Constitutionalist. c.106 BC – 7 December 43 B.C.

Cicero Denounces Catiline, fresco by Cesare Maccari, 1882–88

Pro Plancio:

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.


(Catiline Oration 2.25):

On this side shame does battle; on that, impudence; here modesty, there debauchery; here faith, there deceit; here piety, there wickedness; here steadiness, there rage; here decency, there foulness; here restraint, there lust; here in short equity, temperance, courage, wisdom, all the virtues struggle with iniquity, dissipation, cowardice, foolhardiness – with all the vices. Finally wealth struggles against poverty, right thinking against depravity, sanity against madness – in sum, good hope against desperation in every circumstance.