Even if glory has nothing in itself to justify seeking it, yet it follows virtue like a shadow.
[Etsi enim nihil habet in se gloria cur expetatur, tamen virtutem tamquam umbra sequitur.]
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Tusculan Disputations [Tusculanae Disputationes], Book 1, ch. 45 (1.45) / sec. 109 (45 BC) [tr. Douglas (1985)]
(Source)
(Source (Latin)). Alternate translations:For though Glory have nothing in it self, why it should be pursu'd, yet it follows Vertue as its shadow.
[tr. Wase (1643)]For although there be nothing in glory to make it desirable, yet it follows virtue like a shadow.
[tr. Main (1824)]Glory follows virtue as it it were its shadow.
[Source (1826)]For even if glory contain nothing for which it is desirable of itself, yet it follows as the shadow of virtue.
[tr. Otis (1839)]For although there be nothing in glory to make it desirable, yet it follows virtue as its shadow.
[tr. Yonge (1853)]Though as to fame, there is nothing in it that should make it an object of desire; but it follows virtue like its shadow.
[tr. Peabody (1886)]Glory, though it have in itself nothing for which we should desire it, attends virtue like its shadow.
[tr. Black (1889)]Although glory is not to be sought for its own sake, it follows virtue like a shadow.
[tr. Habinek (1996)]Even if glory has nothing in it to justify our seeking it, yet it follows virtue like a shadow.
[tr. Davie (2017)]