"The enemy is within the gates; it is with our own luxury, our own folly, our own criminality that we have to contend"
- Cicero
About this Quote
This quote by Cicero is an alerting about the risks of complacency and excess. He is suggesting that the greatest enemy of a society is not an external force, but rather the internal forces of high-end, folly, and criminality. He is warning that these forces can be simply as devastating as any external enemy, and that they need to be attended to in order to make sure the health and safety of a society. He is suggesting that if a society is too concentrated on high-end and pleasure, it can cause recklessness and criminality, which can be simply as harmful as any external enemy. He is also recommending that it depends on the people of a society to take obligation for their own actions and to pursue a much better future. By recognizing the risks of complacency and excess, we can work together to create a much better society.
"When the principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then the battle is your calling, and peace has become sin. You must at the price of dearest peace lay your convictions bare before friend and enemy with all the fire of your faith"