The exact words
“Haec enim est una virtus non solum maxima sed etiam mater virtutum omnium reliquarum.”Cicero, Pro Plancio 80 (“For this one virtue is not only the greatest, but also the mother of all the rest.”)
✓ VerifiedFound in a primary source: the original book, speech transcript, letter or recording.
What people get wrong
Common reading
A calm philosophical maxim from one of Cicero's essays.
A calm philosophical maxim from one of Cicero's essays.
Closer to the original
It comes from a courtroom speech, and Cicero had a personal reason to say it. He owed Plancius his safety, and praising gratitude was part of his argument for why he was standing up for him.
It comes from a courtroom speech, and Cicero had a personal reason to say it. He owed Plancius his safety, and praising gratitude was part of his argument for why he was standing up for him.
Timeline
- 54 BCCicero defends his friend Gnaeus Plancius against a charge of bribery. Plancius had protected Cicero during his exile, and Cicero says he must show gratitude by defending him.
- LaterThe line is translated into English as “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others” and becomes a favorite of sermons and Thanksgiving cards.
Use it in a speech
Cicero called gratitude not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others. So tonight let's practice the parent. Thank you all for being here.
~9 secondsto say aloud
Pauseafter “all the others”
Best spotthe opening of the toast
The Roman writer Cicero said gratitude is the parent of all the other virtues. You taught us plenty of the others, so this card is the parent. Thank you.
~9 secondsto say aloud
Pausenone needed in a card
Best spotthe main line of the card
Cicero called gratitude “the mother of all the rest” of the virtues, a claim he made not in a treatise but while defending the friend who had sheltered him in exile.
~9 secondsto say aloud
Pausenone needed in writing
Best spotopening sentence
Questions people ask
Who said gratitude is the parent of all virtues?
The Roman statesman Cicero, in his speech Pro Plancio (54 BC), section 80.
What did Cicero actually write?
In Latin, “haec enim est una virtus non solum maxima sed etiam mater virtutum omnium reliquarum,” meaning gratitude is not only the greatest virtue but the mother of all the rest.
Cite this quote
These cite the original source directly, so you can use them in an essay or paper. Always check your teacher's required style.
MLACicero, Marcus Tullius. Pro Plancio. Section 80. 54 BC. The Latin Library, www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/plancio.shtml.
APACicero, M. T. (54 B.C.E.). Pro Plancio. The Latin Library. https://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/plancio.shtml
CHICAGOMarcus Tullius Cicero, Pro Plancio, Section 80, 54 BC.
IN TEXT (APA)(Cicero)