“The magistrates are the ministers for the laws, the judges their interpreters, the rest of us are servants of the law, that we all may be free.”
- January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC
- Roman
- Orator, Philosopher, Statesman, Lawyer, Author
table of contents
Quote
“The magistrates are the ministers for the laws, the judges their interpreters, the rest of us are servants of the law, that we all may be free.”
Explanation
Cicero outlines a vision of law as the foundation of true liberty, asserting that freedom arises not from the absence of rules, but from universal submission to just laws. In this structure, magistrates enforce the laws, judges interpret them, and citizens obey them—each role contributing to a system where liberty and order coexist. The paradox is clear: we serve the law not to be constrained, but so that we all may be free.
This quote reflects Cicero’s deep commitment to republican ideals and the rule of law, especially during a time when Rome was threatened by dictatorship and civil disorder. For Cicero, the law was not a tool of rulers, but a rational and moral force that governed all equally. He saw submission to law as the highest form of civic freedom, because it protected individuals from the arbitrary power of men.
In modern democracies, this principle remains foundational. The idea that no one is above the law—and that liberty depends on lawful order—continues to shape constitutions and legal systems worldwide. Cicero’s insight reminds us that true freedom does not come from rejecting rules, but from living under a just legal framework where rights are preserved and duties are shared.
Would you like to share your impressions or related stories about this quote in the comments section?
