Cicero Just War Quotes & Sayings

The law is silent during war.
[Lat., Silent leges inter arma.] — Marcus Tullius Cicero

I prefer the most unfair peace to the most righteous war. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

War should be undertaken in such a way as to show that its only object is peace. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

Poor is the nation that has no heroes, but poorer still is the nation that having heroes, fails to remember and honor them. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

Endless money forms the sinews of war. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

Wars are to be undertaken in order that it may be possible to live in peace without molestation. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

Let war yield to peace, laurels to paeans. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

The name of peace is sweet, and the thing itself is beneficial, but there is a great difference between peace and servitude. Peace is freedom in tranquillity, servitude is the worst of all evils, to be resisted not only by war, but even by death. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

I cease not to advocate peace; even though unjust it is better than the most just war. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

The only excuse for war is that we may live in peace unharmed. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

When war is raging the laws are dumb. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

Silent enim leges inter arma (Laws are silent in times of war). — Marcus Tullius Cicero

A war is never undertaken by the ideal State, except in defense of its honor or its safety. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

A guy is on the radio talking about the war.
Speculating.
Speculating.
Speculating.
He says in less than two hours, we shall fight to preserve freedom.
Freedom.
America wants to give another country freedom.
That doesn't sound that bad, or does it. — Noah Cicero

Wars, therefore, are to be undertaken for this end, that we may live in peace, without being injured; but when we obtain the victory, we must preserve those enemies who behaved without cruelty or inhumanity during the war. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

During war, the laws are silent. — Quintus Tullius Cicero

Let arms yield to the toga, let the [victor's] laurel yield to the [orator's] tongue. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

Those wars are unjust which are undertaken without provocation. For only a war waged for revenge or defense can be just. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

For to me every sort of peace with the citizens seemed to be of more service than civil war. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

Let war be so carried on that no other object may seem to be sought but the acquisition of peace.
[Lat., Bellum autem ita suscipiatur, ut nihil aliud, nisi pax, quaesita videatur.] — Marcus Tullius Cicero

After victory, you have more enemies. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

In times of war, the law falls silent. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

In time of war the laws are silent. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

The sinews of war are infinite money. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

In times of war, the law falls silent.
Silent enim leges inter arma — Marcus Tullius Cicero

Laws are silent in time of war. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

An unjust peace is better than a just war. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

An army abroad is of little use unless there are prudent counsels at home.
[Lat., Parvi enim sunt foris arma, nisi est consilium domi.] — Marcus Tullius Cicero

Laws are inoperative in war — Marcus Tullius Cicero