Cicero, who held political and legal positions at an early age, was a prolific writer. A successful and courageous lawyer, in his speeches, letters, and treatises he drew upon Greek Stoic thought, arguing that pursuing justice was the highest public duty; further,
we are to live in accordance with nature and duty, virtue and service. Able to translate
Greek philosophy into elegant Latin, his command of prose, his well-organized and
clear writing, set a high level for students of philosophy that lasted generations.