Cite Specific Latin to Support Interpretation Practice Test
•2 QuestionsScenario 4 (Philosophical themes). Read the following excerpt (200–300 words) from Cicero presenting an ethical dilemma about apparent advantage versus moral rightness, with line numbers.
Latin text (serif font; italicized):
Cum quaeritur quid sit officium, saepe hoc incidit, ut id quod utile videatur cum eo quod honestum sit comparandum putetur. Sed hoc ipsum fallit plurimos, quod putant esse utile quod ad tempus aliquod adiuvat, cum id demum utile sit quod rectum est. Quid enim prodest, si quis pecuniam auget, si fidem minuit? aut si potentiam parat, si iustitiam evertit? Nemo umquam sic sapienter erravit, ut turpiter facere utilitatis causa posset. Itaque, cum duo videantur esse genera officii, unum quod ad honestatem, alterum quod ad utilitatem pertineat, re vera unum est; nam quod honestum est, idem utile est. Quam ob rem, si quando dubitabis, utrum honestum an utile sit sequendum, hoc tibi persuade: numquam posse utile esse quod non honestum sit. Haec si tenebis, et in re publica et in vita privata rectissime versabere.
English (key-phrase translations):
- “utile videatur… honestum” = “what seems advantageous… (and) what is morally right.”
- “Quid enim prodest… si fidem minuit?” = “What does it profit… if he diminishes trust?”
- “numquam posse utile esse quod non honestum sit” = “that what is not morally right can never be advantageous.”
Background (brief): Cicero frames a common dilemma—profit versus integrity—and argues that true advantage cannot conflict with moral rightness.1
Potential themes/motifs: apparent versus true utility; integrity and trust; ethical reasoning.
Citation: Cicero, De Officiis 3.12–3.14 (adapted for classroom excerpt).
Footnotes:
1 Fides (trustworthiness) is a foundational Roman civic virtue in public and private dealings.
Question (text-based analysis): Which line in the passage best supports the claim that Cicero rejects “short-term gain” as genuine utilitas when it undermines moral integrity?
Scenario 4 (Philosophical themes). Read the following excerpt (200–300 words) from Cicero presenting an ethical dilemma about apparent advantage versus moral rightness, with line numbers.
Latin text (serif font; italicized): Cum quaeritur quid sit officium, saepe hoc incidit, ut id quod utile videatur cum eo quod honestum sit comparandum putetur. Sed hoc ipsum fallit plurimos, quod putant esse utile quod ad tempus aliquod adiuvat, cum id demum utile sit quod rectum est. Quid enim prodest, si quis pecuniam auget, si fidem minuit? aut si potentiam parat, si iustitiam evertit? Nemo umquam sic sapienter erravit, ut turpiter facere utilitatis causa posset. Itaque, cum duo videantur esse genera officii, unum quod ad honestatem, alterum quod ad utilitatem pertineat, re vera unum est; nam quod honestum est, idem utile est. Quam ob rem, si quando dubitabis, utrum honestum an utile sit sequendum, hoc tibi persuade: numquam posse utile esse quod non honestum sit. Haec si tenebis, et in re publica et in vita privata rectissime versabere.
English (key-phrase translations):
- “utile videatur… honestum” = “what seems advantageous… (and) what is morally right.”
- “Quid enim prodest… si fidem minuit?” = “What does it profit… if he diminishes trust?”
- “numquam posse utile esse quod non honestum sit” = “that what is not morally right can never be advantageous.”
Background (brief): Cicero frames a common dilemma—profit versus integrity—and argues that true advantage cannot conflict with moral rightness.1
Potential themes/motifs: apparent versus true utility; integrity and trust; ethical reasoning.
Citation: Cicero, De Officiis 3.12–3.14 (adapted for classroom excerpt).
Footnotes: 1 Fides (trustworthiness) is a foundational Roman civic virtue in public and private dealings.
Question (text-based analysis): Which line in the passage best supports the claim that Cicero rejects “short-term gain” as genuine utilitas when it undermines moral integrity?