Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- Epistulae ad Atticum [Letters to Atticus], Book 7, Letter 14, sec. 3 (7.14.3) (49 BC) [tr. Shackleton Bailey (1968), # 138]

Dave — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 18:57:28 +0000

I continue to urge peace. Even an unjust peace is better than the most just of wars against one’s countrymen.

[Equidem ad pacem hortari non desino; quae vel iniusta utilior est quam iustissimum bellum cum civibus.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Epistulae ad Atticum [Letters to Atticus], Book 7, Letter 14, sec. 3 (7.14.3) (49 BC) [tr. Shackleton Bailey (1968), # 138]
(Source)

See also this letter from 46 BC. (Source (Latin)). Alternate translations:

For my part, I never cease urging peace, which, however unfair, is better than the justest war in the world.
[tr. Shuckburgh (1900), #309]

As for me, I cease not to advocate peace. It may be on unjust terms, but even so it is more expedient than the justest of civil wars.
[tr. Winstedt (Loeb) (1913)]

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- Epistulae ad Familiares [Letters to Friends], Book 6, Letter 6, sec. 5 (6.6.5), to Aulus Cæcina (46 BC) [tr. Shuckburgh (1899), #486]

Dave — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 17:30:28 +0000

Any peace, even the most inequitable, should be preferred to the most righteous war.

[Iniquissimam pacem iustissimo bello anteferrem.]

Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC) Roman orator, statesman, philosopher
Epistulae ad Familiares [Letters to Friends], Book 6, Letter 6, sec. 5 (6.6.5), to Aulus Cæcina (46 BC) [tr. Shuckburgh (1899), #486]
(Source)

On his efforts to prevent a civil war between Caesar and Pompeius. See also this letter (49 BC)

(Source (Latin)). Alternate translation:

Peace: the which, though it were accompanied with unequall conditions, yet I preferred it before warre, which on our behalfe was most just.
[tr. Webbe (1620)]

Contests of this kind, tho' ever so justly founded, even the most disadvantageous terms of accommodation were preferable to having recourse to arms.
[tr. Melmoth (1753), 9.34]

Why I would choose the most unfair peace in preference to the fairest of wars.
[tr. Jeans (1880), # 91]

A peace even on the most unfavourable terms was preferable to the most righteous of wars.
[tr. Williams (Loeb) (1928)]

[...] the most inequitable peace as preferable to the most righteous of wars.
[tr. Shackleton Bailey (1978), # 234]

I would prefer the most unfair peace to the justest war.
[tr. @sententiq (2012)]

WIST Quotations

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- Epistulae ad Atticum [Letters to Atticus], Book 7, Letter 14, sec. 3 (7.14.3) (49 BC) [tr. Shackleton Bailey (1968), # 138]

Cicero, Marcus Tullius -- Epistulae ad Familiares [Letters to Friends], Book 6, Letter 6, sec. 5 (6.6.5), to Aulus Cæcina (46 BC) [tr. Shuckburgh (1899), #486]