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What it means

Cicero borrows the idea from Plato: part of us belongs to our country and part to our friends. A life spent only on yourself misses its purpose. Put some of your strength to work for others.

The source

"We are not born for ourselves alone." Cicero said it in On Duties 1.22. Translated from the original Latin by Spartan Surfers.

"non nobis solum nati sumus"

Original Latin, On Duties 1.22. Text read at thelatinlibrary.com.

Who said it

Cicero (106–43 BC). Rome's greatest orator and a consul who saved the Republic once and died defending it. He brought Greek philosophy into Latin for everyday Romans.

Questions

What does "We are not born for ourselves alone." mean?
Cicero borrows the idea from Plato: part of us belongs to our country and part to our friends. A life spent only on yourself misses its purpose. Put some of your strength to work for others.
Who said "We are not born for ourselves alone."?
Cicero (106–43 BC). Source: On Duties 1.22.
What is the original Latin?
non nobis solum nati sumus. Translated from the original Latin by Spartan Surfers.
Is "We are not born for ourselves alone." on a shirt?
Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

Cite this line

"We are not born for ourselves alone." (Cicero, On Duties 1.22, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/we-are-not-born-for-ourselves-alone

Filed under Quotes about character.

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