Do they deserve that honour?

“As for others whose lives are not so ordered, he reminds himself constantly of the characters they exhibit daily and nightly at home and abroad, and of the sort of society they frequent; and the approval of such men, who do not even stand well in their own eyes, has no value for him.”

-Cicero

Cicero was a Roman senator, philosopher, and scholar. He lived during a time of political crises that led to the fall of the republic and the rise of a dictatorship in the form of the Roman Empire.

Cicero, a tireless defender of democratic principles spent his career surrounded by corruption and greed. His fellow senators lived in a soap opera filled with political manoeuvring, sabotage, murder, and manipulative legislating. This was all done for the personal benefit of those senators.

Cicero saw this and frequently spoke out against it. This outspokenness won him the disdain of many of his equals.

He did not let this disapproval influence his actions. If anything he saw it as a sign that he was in the right because he knew the hearts of those who opposed him.

Unfortunately, their opposition did not stop at disapproving words and character assassination. In the course of his life, he was temporarily exiled, his land was confiscated and his vila torn down. He was in constant fear of his life.

Not to say these events did not affect his mental state. It is said that while in exile he suffered great depression and contemplated suicide.

He eventually returned to Rome and was treated with cheering crowds who appreciated his integrity.

Then came Caesar's civil war and the birth of the Roman dictatorship. Cicero fled the Italian peninsula knowing Caesar coveted his endorsement and the acceptance of the general public that would come with it. For the sake of his beloved republic, he wound not abandon his principles.

Soon, however, Cicero tried to adjust to the situation and continue his political work saying-

“Nothing is burdensome if taken lightly, and nothing need arouse one's irritation so long as one doesn't make it bigger than it is by getting irritated.”

He was likely hoping to revive the Republic and its institutions.

His hopes did not manifest. The empire continued and when Mark Antony became emperor Cicero was pronounced a traitor and hunted down.

Due to his great integrity and the honourable work he had done both for the republic and as governor of Cilicia he was loved by the public. Because of this, he was able to hide for a time. It was said that not a soul who saw him would turn him in. Eventually, he was discovered and beheaded. Even to his death, he conducted himself with honour allegedly saying he would not run and kneeling over to make his execution less burdensome on the soldier who found him.

Cicero lived an extreme life in extreme times but the sentiment is true for all of us. We all have been guilty of striving for approval from those who don't deserve the honour of giving it. The craving for that approval has the power to change us in ways that can be flat out harmful.

Next time you find yourself doing or saying something to get the approval of someone else ask yourself...

"Do they deserve that honour?"

-JB