“According to the law of nature it is only fair that no one should become richer through damages and injuries suffered by another.”
- January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC
- Roman
- Orator, Philosopher, Statesman, Lawyer, Author
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Quote
“According to the law of nature it is only fair that no one should become richer through damages and injuries suffered by another.”
Explanation
Cicero affirms a fundamental principle of natural justice: it is inherently unfair for anyone to profit from the harm of another. This statement reflects the idea that wealth or advantage gained through injustice—through damage, deceit, or exploitation—is morally illegitimate. The law of nature, to Cicero, is a higher moral order rooted in reason, equity, and shared humanity, which must guide both personal conduct and legal systems.
This principle is foundational in Roman legal thought, particularly in doctrines of restitution and unjust enrichment. Cicero believed that natural law should inform civil law, ensuring that gains obtained through wrongful acts are returned or compensated, and that justice is not measured merely by outcomes, but by how those outcomes are achieved. True justice must restore balance, not reward harm.
In the modern world, this idea underlies legal systems around the globe, where concepts like compensation, liability, and reparations seek to prevent or correct unjust enrichment. Cicero’s insight reminds us that ethical wealth is not just about possession but about how it is acquired, and that no gain can be honorable if it comes from another’s loss or suffering. Justice, he insists, is not only about protecting rights—it is about ensuring fairness in the very fabric of human exchange.
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