87 – “Etenim, iudices, cum omnibus virtutibus me adfectum esse cupio, tum nihil est quod malim quam me et esse gratum et videri. Haec enim est una virtus non solum maxima sed etiam mater virtutum omnium reliquarum.”

“In truth, O judges, while I wish to be adorned with every virtue, yet there is nothing which I can esteem more highly than the being and appearing grateful. For this one virtue is not only the greatest, but is also the parent of all the other virtues.”

– Cicero (Full Name: Marcus Tullius Cicero) [Often misquoted, see note]

Quote Number: 971

Source: Cicero, Marcus Tillius. “Pro Plancio.” Rome, 54 BC.

Source Notes: This is often quoted truncated as “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” While similar in meaning, it does not fully grasp the entirety of the quote.

Click here for the original Latin text or click here for an English translation
The quote begins in section 80.