What duties does a citizen owe the republic?

Translation: quotations from Cicero are quoted in Melmoth's 1753 and Shuckburgh's 1899 English translations; quoted in Charles Duke Yonge's 1851-52 English translation; quoted in Andrew P. Peabody's 1883-87 English translation, not his original words.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Melmoth's 1753 and Shuckburgh's 1899 English translations): Cicero believes that a citizen owes the Republic a sense of duty and service, which he distinguishes from gratitude for personal favors. He argues that his devotion to the Republic was not based on personal obligation but on the duty incumbent on all citizens. "I thought that to the Republic, which had much assisted you in restoring me, I at least was bound to entertain the feeling which I had in old times shewed merely from the duty incumbent on all citizens alike, and not as an obligation incurred by some special kindness to myself." [1]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Charles Duke Yonge's 1851-52 English translation): Cicero believed that a citizen's duty to the republic includes prioritizing the republic's present necessities and promoting unanimity over personal consistency or past differences. He argued that adjusting one's opinions in response to the republic's needs is not inconsistency but a responsible course of action. (key quote above) [2]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Charles Duke Yonge's 1851-52 English translation): Cicero believed that violence between citizens is contrary to the interests of the republic, and that defending oneself against violence is sometimes necessary but not wished for. He argues that such violence constitutes a wound and injury to the republic, even if it serves the republic's welfare. "Why, because no violence from one citizen to another can ever take place in a free state which is not contrary to the interests of the republic." [3]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Charles Duke Yonge's 1851-52 English translation): Cicero believes that citizens have a duty to defend the republic and oppose laws passed through violence and arms. He argues that laws should be passed through proper procedures and that the use of force to bypass these procedures undermines the republic's safety. "We ought to be strangers to fear. ... I am speaking of laws which have been proposed; concerning which you have still full power to decide either way." [4]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Andrew P. Peabody's 1883-87 English translation): Cicero believes that a citizen's duty to the republic includes living on fair and equal terms with fellow citizens, avoiding both cringing behavior and superciliousness, and choosing peaceful and honorable actions within the state. These duties are grounded in what is becoming and fitting for a citizen. (key quote above) [5]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Andrew P. Peabody's 1883-87 English translation): Cicero believes that citizens who have no valid reason for avoiding public life should not despise civic service and should not avoid positions of trust and honor in the military or civil service, as this is to their discredit. He argues that those who avoid public affairs without justification are motivated by fear of toil, shame, and disgrace rather than genuine moral conviction. "But as for those who have no such reason, yet say that they despise what most persons admire, places of trust and honor in the military or civil service, this, I think, is to be reckoned to their discredit, not to their praise." [6]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Charles Duke Yonge's 1851-52 English translation): Cicero believed that a citizen owes the republic duties of saving it and defending it, as he claims he saved the republic through his single exertions and constantly defended the senate in public speeches. He also believed in uniting the people with the chief men and the equestrian order with the senate. "I swore without any hesitation that the republic and this city had been saved by my single exertions... I constantly defended the senate... I united the multitude with the chief men, and the equestrian order with the senate." [7]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Charles Duke Yonge's 1851-52 English translation): Cicero believes that a citizen owes the republic duties including defending its safety, upholding the authority of the senate, and preserving the power of the consul. He argues that the prosecution of Rabirius is not about an individual's actions but about undermining these foundational elements of the republic. "the safety of the republic, my duty as consul, the very fact of my being consul, since when I was made consul the safety of the republic, and also that of each individual citizen in it was entrusted to me, compel me to do so with the greatest zeal." [8]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Charles Duke Yonge's 1851-52 English translation): Cicero believed that a citizen owes the republic the duty of defending it against wicked citizens, even at great personal cost, including enduring grief and misery. He argues that his own actions, which involved sacrificing personal happiness to avert disaster, demonstrate this duty. (key quote above) [9]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Charles Duke Yonge's 1851-52 English translation): Cicero believes that a citizen's duty to the republic includes resisting the wickedness of audacious men who would overturn the republic, using laws and courts of justice when possible, and armed force when necessary to defend lives and liberties. "that such men's duty was to resist the wickedness of audacious men, men who would overturn the republic, by means of the laws, and of the courts of justice; but that if the laws were inefficient, if there were no courts of justice, if the republic was seized and held in subjection by the violence and conspiracy and armed force of audacious men, then that it was absolutely necessary for our lives and liberties to be defended by armed guards and by troops." [10]

What cuts against it

• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Charles Duke Yonge's 1851-52 English translation): Cicero believed that laws passed through violence and arms undermine the republic's safety, which suggests that the means of defending the republic must be lawful and not violent. "We ought to be strangers to fear. ... I am speaking of laws which have been proposed; concerning which you have still full power to decide either way." [4]

• ACTION (undated; quoted in Charles Duke Yonge's 1851-52 English translation): Cicero's own actions, such as his defense of Rabirius and his departure to avert disaster, show that he was willing to make personal sacrifices for the republic, but also that he sometimes used legal and political maneuvering to achieve his goals. (key quote above) [9]

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Cicero believed that a citizen's duty to the republic includes living on fair and equal terms with fellow citizens and choosing peaceful and honorable actions. This is grounded in what is becoming and fitting for a citizen. "The private citizen ought to live on fair and equal terms with his fellow-citizens, neither cringing and grovelling, nor yet assuming supercilious airs." [5] (quoted in Andrew P. Peabody's 1883-87 English translation) (inference: this implies a moral obligation to act in a way that is respectful and equitable)

2. He argued that citizens must defend the republic against wicked citizens, even at great personal cost. "I, therefore, saved the republic, O judges, by my departure." [9] (quoted in Charles Duke Yonge's 1851-52 English translation) (inference: this suggests that the duty to the republic can require personal sacrifice)

3. Cicero believed that civic service is as important and glorious as military achievements, and that citizens have a duty to preserve the laws and institutions of the state. "Yet if we will only look at facts, there have been many civic transactions that have surpassed feats of arms in importance and in renown." [11] (quoted in Andrew P. Peabody's 1883-87 English translation) (inference: this implies that civic engagement is a vital form of service to the republic)

4. He argued that citizens should resist the wickedness of audacious men who would overturn the republic, using laws and courts of justice when possible, and armed force when necessary. "that such men's duty was to resist the wickedness of audacious men, men who would overturn the republic, by means of the laws, and of the courts of justice." [10] (quoted in Charles Duke Yonge's 1851-52 English translation) (inference: this suggests that the duty to the republic includes both legal and, if necessary, military defense)

5. Cicero believed that citizens must prioritize the republic's present necessities and promote unanimity over personal consistency or past differences. (key quote above) [2] (quoted in Charles Duke Yonge's 1851-52 English translation) (inference: this implies that flexibility and adaptability are part of a citizen's duty)

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

Cicero directly addressed the question of what duties a citizen owes the republic in multiple of his writings. He emphasized the importance of living on fair and equal terms with fellow citizens, defending the republic against wicked citizens, and prioritizing the republic's present necessities over personal consistency. He also stressed the importance of civic service and the use of legal and, if necessary, military means to defend the republic.

Extrapolation: Cicero believed that a citizen's duty to the republic includes living on fair and equal terms with fellow citizens, defending the republic against threats, and prioritizing the republic's needs over personal consistency. He also emphasized the importance of civic service and the use of legal and, if necessary, military means to defend the republic.

Competing readings: One reading is that Cicero believed in the necessity of personal sacrifice for the republic, as seen in his own actions. Another reading is that he believed in the importance of legal and peaceful means to defend the republic, as seen in his emphasis on the use of laws and courts of justice. The record itself supports both readings, as Cicero argued for both personal sacrifice and legal defense in different contexts.

Confidence: High. The record provides direct statements from Cicero on the duties of a citizen to the republic, and the competing readings are supported by the text. The sources are old editions, but the content is consistent across multiple passages.