To desire the good is to be good. — Marcus Tullius Cicero
—What lingers after this line?
Cicero’s Fundamental Claim
At the heart of Cicero’s assertion lies the belief that moral goodness springs first from intention. By equating the wish for good with being good, Cicero positions ethical desire as foundational to character. Rather than focusing solely on actions, he underscores the importance of inward motivation as the seed from which virtue grows.
Roots in Ancient Philosophy
This emphasis on internal motives echoes earlier philosophical traditions. Plato’s *Republic* (c. 375 BC), for instance, argues that the virtuous person acts from a deep alignment with the good. Cicero, building on Greek models, bridges this ideal with Roman values of civic duty—suggesting that a virtuous society depends on the moral aspirations of its individuals.
From Intention to Action
However, the transition from desiring good to doing good is critical. Although Cicero privileges intention, he doesn’t dismiss the necessity of virtuous action. The desire to do right often propels people to make ethical choices in daily life, weaving individual intentions into tangible acts of kindness or justice. In this way, desire acts as a catalyst, shaping outward behavior.
Modern Psychological Perspectives
Contemporary psychology supports the link between intention and ethical behavior. Research on moral identity, such as the studies of Augusto Blasi (1983), highlights that those who aspire to goodness are more likely to act morally. This scientific view echoes Cicero’s claim, suggesting that cultivating a wish to do good can nurture genuinely virtuous conduct.
Challenges and Implications
Nevertheless, Cicero’s view invites debate about the sufficiency of intention alone. Critics might recall Hannah Arendt’s reflections on the ‘banality of evil’—where ordinary people, despite professing good intentions, contributed to grave wrongs. Thus, while desiring good is necessary, it must be paired with wisdom and action to form a robust moral life, reminding us that virtue demands both heart and deed.
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