De Officiis (Oxford Classical Texts, Latin Edition) [Hardcover]

Cicero (Author), M. Winterbottom (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198146736 | ISBN-13: 978-0198146735 | Publication Date: October 27, 1994

The De Officiis ("On Duties"), written hurriedly not long before Cicero's death, has always commanded attention. While it is based on the moral philosophy of the Greek Stoic Panaetius, Cicero adapted the material to his audience in such a way that the book stands as an invaluable witness to Roman attitudes and behavior.
This new edition is based on a more systematic examination of the vast manuscript tradition than has previously been attempted, and exploits fresh evidence for the poorly represented X branch. The book shows with new clarity the major contribution to the improvement of the text made by scribes and readers of the later manuscripts, both in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This edition is sure to become standard....Attractive to read...accurate."Bryn Mawr Classical Review

Language Notes

Text: Latin

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (October 27, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198146736
• ISBN-13: 978-0198146735
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #898,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book every person should read, April 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: De Officiis (Oxford Classical Texts, Latin Edition) (Hardcover)

It has been said in the past by prominent Christians that a person familiar with Cicero's De Oficiis can be moral without having read the Bible. What a fitting statement for this book! De Oficiis shows you how to lead a moral life, as a father would tell his son (in fact, this work is a series of libelli written from Cicero to his own son). Particularly if you are in a position of power, or aspire to someday ascend to that status, this is a must-read. For a contrasting view, also read Nicollo Machiavelli's The Prince.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book every person should read, April 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: De Officiis (Oxford Classical Texts, Latin Edition) (Hardcover)

It has been said in the past by prominent Christians that a person familiar with Cicero's De Oficiis can be moral without having read the Bible. What a fitting statement for this book! De Oficiis shows you how to lead a moral life, as a father would tell his son (in fact, this work is a series of libelli written from Cicero to his own son). Particularly if you are in a position of power, or aspire to someday ascend to that status, this is a must-read. For a contrasting view, also read Nicollo Machiavelli's The Prince.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful text, masterful edition, November 9, 2008

By 

A Latinist, Ciceronian, and student - See all my reviews

This review is from: De Officiis (Oxford Classical Texts, Latin Edition) (Hardcover)

Not only does this work of Cicero's beautifully lay out a feasible system of ethics, it also describes the relationship between virtue and utility and how one may pursue morality. Also, Winterbottom does a fantastic job editing this masterpiece, with quite helpful apparatus criticus, preface, and indices. A beautiful text for a most brilliant piece of Latin literature!