“What nobler employment, or more valuable to the state, than that of the man who instructs the rising generation?”
- January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC
- Roman
- Orator, Philosopher, Statesman, Lawyer, Author
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Quote
“What nobler employment, or more valuable to the state, than that of the man who instructs the rising generation?”
Explanation
This quote honors the immense value of education and the role of the teacher in shaping the future of society. Cicero asserts that no occupation is more dignified or beneficial to the state than guiding and educating the young. By instructing the “rising generation,” a teacher is not just transferring knowledge, but cultivating virtue, reason, and civic responsibility, which are essential for the preservation and improvement of the republic.
In Roman culture, and especially for Cicero, education was a cornerstone of civic life. He believed that a healthy republic depended on citizens who were morally grounded, rhetorically skilled, and philosophically informed. This quote reflects his conviction that the future of Rome—and by extension, any society—rests in the hands of those who prepare its next leaders and thinkers. It is both a celebration of teachers and a political insight: that education is not a private good, but a public necessity.
In the modern world, this idea resonates deeply. Societies today continue to rely on educators to build critical thinking, moral discernment, and informed citizenship. In an age of rapid change and complex challenges, Cicero’s words remind us that investing in education is not only noble, but essential to the long-term health and progress of any nation. The teacher’s role remains, as he described, one of the highest callings in service to the public good.
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