About Cicero and his life /last part/
In addition, historical evidence, Cicero, also points to purely ethnographic considerations about the universality of religion: "There is no tribe, if it is the primitive and wildest, without religion." / І.13 / By pointing to the unity, spirituality, reason, and moral perfection of God, Cicero at the same time, like the Stoics, treats with great prudence and respect for the often popular idolatrous beliefs, in order not to undermine the foundations of the people's morality.
The man, according to Cicero, is distinguished from animals in that it is an inherently superior activity that is a manifestation of the intelligent soul in it. The basic essence of the soul is reason, whereas animals have only instinctive and vegetative activity because they have only a sensible and vital soul, but they have no reason. Man is the only intelligent being, because he has within himself the divine principle and therefore subdues nature (III.39,23). The soul according to Cicero is immortal. A testimony to this is both the inborn and the feeling, as well as the universal testimony of nations. Likewise, freedom of will stands so firmly because it sees that without freedom there is no moral responsibility, and then the whole moral order collapses.
Starting from this sublime nature of man as being biased, intelligent, free and immortal, Cicero abruptly opposes the epicurean moral teachings he finds below, unworthy of the specific spiritual beginning in man. "We are born, believe me Torquate," he objected to an Epicurean, "for a higher and greater purpose. Therefore, it is possible to judge only those parts of the spirit in which the memory of countless things is found. You have a striking ability to predict the effects that a little differs from the divine providence, you have a shame-restraining passion, have the protection of justice that is right for human society, have the firm and unwavering contempt for pain, rising dangers, and death itself, you have the heroism of those who despise death. These are all spiritual advantages. But also look at the senses themselves: they will be seen, like all other parts of the body - not just companions, but also as servants, tools of virtue. And if even bodily things such as strength, health, beauty, dexterity have to be placed above the delight, how much higher should the powers of the soul be appreciated! In them the greatest scholars of antiquity saw the presence of something divine and heavenly. "V.30 /
The Cicero virtue equates to the Stoic. It is masculinity: the very word man shows this. The virtue is a stoic bear of all life's adversity through consciousness and by the will of the will. This brings about equilibrium, tranquility and bliss. The ultimate good is in the perfecting of the soul and the body, for which they support well-being, friendship, honor and fulfillment of public debt. The perfection of the soul, in particular theoretical, is to explore heavenly, natural and human things, wisdom, and practical - in the three virtues: moderation, courage and justice.