De Officiis
De Officiis, On Duties, was written by Cicero in the last year of his life, 44 BC, as a letter of moral instruction to his son Marcus, then studying in Athens. The three books ask what is honorable, what is expedient, and what to do when the two seem to conflict. Cicero treats the four cardinal virtues, the duties of public life, the claims of friendship and country, the proper way to make and spend money, and a series of hard cases: may a merchant conceal a defect, may a shipwrecked man push another from the plank? The work became a school text for fifteen centuries and shaped Western ideas of honor and public service. This edition uses the translation of Walter Miller. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about De Officiis
De Officiis by Marcus Tullius Cicero can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read De Officiis online?
Yes. De Officiis opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is De Officiis free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of De Officiis is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is De Officiis in the public domain?
Yes. De Officiis by Marcus Tullius Cicero is a public-domain work, here in the translation by Walter Miller. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read De Officiis?
About 7 h 39 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is De Officiis?
De Officiis by Marcus Tullius Cicero is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
