“The pursuit, even of the best things, ought to be calm and tranquil.”
- January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC
- Roman
- Orator, Philosopher, Statesman, Lawyer, Author
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Quote
“The pursuit, even of the best things, ought to be calm and tranquil.”
Explanation
Cicero advises that even our highest goals—truth, virtue, honor—should be sought with composure and inner peace, not with agitation or recklessness. He warns that overzealousness, even in noble pursuits, can lead to imbalance, anxiety, or destructive passion. True excellence lies not only in what we pursue, but in how we pursue it—with moderation, patience, and serenity.
This principle reflects Cicero’s Stoic influences, which emphasize that the wise person acts rationally and without disturbance, guided by reason rather than by emotion or impulse. For Cicero, the cultivation of virtue requires not just ambition, but equanimity—a steady character that remains centered even in striving. Calmness, far from being weakness, is the mark of one who is confident in purpose and governed by reason.
In the modern world, where ambition is often linked to urgency and stress, Cicero’s insight is especially relevant. He reminds us that greatness pursued without inner peace risks losing its moral value. Whether in career, service, or personal growth, the quality of the pursuit shapes the quality of the outcome. The calm and tranquil pursuit of the best things is not slower—it is deeper, wiser, and ultimately more enduring.
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