01
The courage of a nervous man
But not the least of the reasons why I loved him, despite his faults, was that he possessed that most attractive form of courage: the bravery of a nervous man. After all, any rash fool can be a hero if he sets no value on his life, or hasn't the wit to appreciate danger. But to understand the risks, perhaps even to flinch at first, but then to summon the strength to face them down – that in my opinion is the most commendable form of valour, and that was what Cicero displayed that day.
Robert Harris · The Cicero Trilogy
02
Clarity, integrity and straight talking
I prefer written to oral reports. I rise early and work late. I won't tolerate bribes, or corruption in any form, or gossip. If you make a mistake, don't be afraid to tell me, but do it quickly. Remember that, and we shall get along well enough. And now: to business!
Robert Harris · The Cicero Trilogy
03
One problem at a time
“That is better!” Cicero smiled at us. “The art of life is to deal with problems as they arise, rather than destroy one’s spirit by worrying about them too far in advance”
Robert Harris · The Cicero Trilogy
04
Wealth as a means
I shall be frank with you. I have set my heart upon resuming a military career. I have all the wealth a man could want, but that can only be a means and not an end in itself. Can you tell me what nation ever erected a statue to a man because he was rich? Which of the earth’s many peoples mingles the name of some long-dead millionaire in its prayers because of the number of houses he once possessed?
The only lasting glory is on the page—and I am no poet!—or on the battlefield
Robert Harris · The Cicero Trilogy
05
Trust, and keep a copy
“I shall tell you one thing, Tiro,” he said. “I have never come across a financial director yet who did not keep an extra set of records for himself when he handed over to his successor, just to be on the safe side.”
Robert Harris · The Cicero Trilogy
06
Commit to unpopular choices
ANOTHER OF CICERO’S maxims was that if you must do something unpopular, you might as well do it wholeheartedly, for in politics there is no credit to be won by timidity.
Robert Harris · The Cicero Trilogy
07
Set things in motion
“Sometimes,” he said, summing up the discussion with an aphorism I have never forgotten, “if you find yourself stuck in politics, the thing to do is start a fight—start a fight, even if you do not know how you are going to win it, because it is only when a fight is on, and everything is in motion, that you can hope to see your way through. Thank you, gentlemen.”
Robert Harris · The Cicero Trilogy
08
Raised, praised and erased
Perhaps he will. But we can deal with him later. He can be raised, praised and erased
Robert Harris · The Cicero Trilogy
09
One grateful, ten resentful
Julius the god seems to have forgotten what Julius the politician never would: that every time you fill an appointment, you make one man grateful and ten resentful.
Robert Harris · The Cicero Trilogy