“If I err in belief that the souls of men are immortal, I gladly err, nor do I wish this error which gives me pleasure to be wrested from me while I live.”
- January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC
- Roman
- Orator, Philosopher, Statesman, Lawyer, Author
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Quote
“If I err in belief that the souls of men are immortal, I gladly err, nor do I wish this error which gives me pleasure to be wrested from me while I live.”
Explanation
This quote reveals Cicero’s deep emotional and philosophical attachment to the belief in the immortality of the soul, even while acknowledging the possibility that such a belief might be mistaken. He candidly admits that if it is an error, it is one that brings him comfort, hope, and meaning—so much so that he would rather live joyfully with this belief than surrender it in the face of uncertainty or doubt. It reflects a profound human need for hope beyond death and continuity of the self.
Cicero explored the nature of the soul and the afterlife in works like Tusculan Disputations, where he engages with Stoic, Platonic, and Academic thought. Though he was intellectually rigorous, he was also emotionally moved by the idea that death does not end the soul’s journey. This quote shows a philosophical humility: he does not claim certainty, but he values the moral and psychological strength that the belief provides.
In the modern context, this sentiment echoes the way many people hold spiritual or existential beliefs—not always from proof, but from a desire for meaning, comfort, or ethical orientation. Cicero’s honesty is timeless: even without full certainty, some beliefs may be worth holding because of the nobility, courage, and peace they inspire. His words encourage respect for such convictions, even amid philosophical doubt.
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