“The wise are instructed by reason, average minds by experience, the stupid by necessity and the brute by instinct.”
- January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC
- Roman
- Orator, Philosopher, Statesman, Lawyer, Author
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Quote
“The wise are instructed by reason, average minds by experience, the stupid by necessity and the brute by instinct.”
Explanation
Cicero ranks the levels of human understanding according to how individuals learn and act, from the highest form—reason—to the most primitive—instinct. The wise, guided by reason, are proactive, capable of seeing consequences before they occur. Average minds require direct experience to learn, while the stupid must be forced to act by necessity, often only responding to crisis. The brute, lacking reason altogether, operates purely on instinct, without foresight or reflection.
This classification reflects Cicero’s philosophical alignment with Stoic rationalism, where reason is the defining human faculty and the foundation of virtue. In Roman civic thought, the ability to anticipate, deliberate, and choose wisely distinguished the noble citizen from the ignorant or reckless. Cicero emphasizes that moral and intellectual development lies in ascending from reaction to reflection, from impulse to insight.
In modern terms, the quote resonates with how people approach learning, decision-making, and crisis. Some prepare wisely, some only learn after mistakes, and others act only when forced. Cicero’s message is clear: true wisdom lies in using reason to guide life consciously and ethically, rather than waiting for pain, pressure, or instinct to dictate action. It is a timeless call to live thoughtfully, not reactively.
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