“Love is the attempt to form a friendship inspired by beauty.”
- January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC
- Roman
- Orator, Philosopher, Statesman, Lawyer, Author
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Quote
“Love is the attempt to form a friendship inspired by beauty.”
Explanation
Cicero defines love as the pursuit of a virtuous and meaningful relationship, motivated by the attraction to beauty—not merely physical, but moral and spiritual. Love, in this sense, is not just desire, but a noble effort to forge friendship, rooted in admiration and mutual respect. It is a movement of the soul toward connection, inspired by what is good and harmonious in another person.
This conception reflects Cicero’s philosophical blend of Platonic and Roman ideals, where true friendship and love converge around shared virtue and character. For Cicero, beauty awakens the desire not for possession, but for companionship built on excellence and trust. Love is thus elevated from a fleeting emotion to a moral and relational pursuit, one that aspires toward lasting goodness rather than temporary pleasure.
In the modern world, this definition challenges more superficial or transactional views of love. It invites us to see love as a bridge between admiration and ethical friendship, where the heart is stirred by beauty and seeks to respond with loyalty, kindness, and shared growth. Cicero’s insight reminds us that real love is not only felt—it is built, and it is sustained by virtue.
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