On the Good Life

For the great Roman orator and statesman Cicero (106-43 BC), 'the good life' was at once a life of contentment and one of moral virtue - and the two were inescapably intertwined. This volume brings together a wide range of his reflections on the importance of moral integrity in the search for happiness. In essays that are articulate, meditative and inspirational, Cicero presents his views on the significance of friendship and duty to state and family, and outlines a clear system of practical ethics that is both simple and universal. These works offer a timeless reflection on the human condition, and a fascinating insight into the mind of one of the greatest thinkers of ancient Rome. Michael Grant's translation fully conveys the eloquence of the original works, while his illuminating introduction discusses Cicero's life and times, and the philosophical schools of thought that influenced him. This edition also includes appendices detailing the further writing of Cicero, genealogical-tables, maps and an index.