“We are taxed in our bread and our wine, in our incomes and our investments, on our land and on our property not only for base creatures who do not deserve the name of men, but for foreign nations, complaisant nations who will bow to us and accept our largesse and promise us to assist in the keeping of the peace - these mendicant nations who will destroy us when we show a moment of weakness or our treasury is bare, and surely it is becoming bare! We are taxed to maintain legions on their soil, in the name of law and order and the Pax Romana, a document which will fall into dust when it pleases our allies and our vassals. We keep them in precarious balance only with our gold. Is the heartblood of our nation worth these? Were they bound to us with ties of love, they would not ask our gold. They take our very flesh, and they hate and despise us. And who shall say we are worthy of more? ... When a government becomes powerful it is destructive, extravagant and violent; it is an usurer which takes bread from innocent mouths and deprives honorable men of their substance, for votes with which to perpetuate itself.”

The more things change, the more they stay the same...

Great quote. Should have been made. But would like direction to the reference.

"We keep them in precarious balance only with our gold." Today's version: We keep them in precarious balance with Obamaphones, food stamps, "free" medicare, monthly welfare checks, public education...and on and on. The beginning of the end. Cicero knew of what he spoke.

Certainly sounds like America to me. The revived Roman Empire. Rich as hell but spiritually bankrupt. Love of stuff.

Al DC, You stole my comment and ain't it the truth.

Bankrupt...period. No real wealth, no real ethics. Plunder, taxation, and tyranny on a scale which would have humbled the Romans.

Absolutely, positively the quote describing The United States Of America's current condition.

Thank you,

Bruce Sammut
Naples, FL

How profound and prophetic!

Cicero was one of three hundred men who held all the land, power and wealth of the entire Roman Republic. What on earth did he have to complain about?

Gee Kate...are you suggesting we tear down those who work for what they have? What is your point? Cicero was brilliant no matter his station. That kind of wisdom applies to this day. But I guess now that England like so many other places is populated by socialist sheep..."thinking" in terms of freedom and independence is beyond most people....

So much accuracy. The occupying statist theocracy infesting this land taxes (theft) its patrons unto slavery; regulates commerce out of business and continues a global advent of war.

I think that civilization is doomed. We are exactly where Cicero was. We have federal , state, and local taxation that exceeds our ability to produce.

Understanding the origin of the Tyrannical Monarchy and their worship of many gods, to the source of worshiping the queen of heaven, as stated in the ancient Aramaic and Hebrew texts. Offering incense, wine and cakes of bread. The Catiline conspiracy comes to mind, to overthrow the Constitutional Republic of Rome, rings True today as then. With debt mounting from war upon previous war, Corrupted officials, senators and aristocrats swaying the lesser classes to revolt. Exposing the revolt brought about the execution of Cicero, a constitutionalist, and humanitarian. Fighting against such as the ancient state religious cults, 15 in all, we look to Numa Pompilius, reigned 715 - 673 BC, the second king of Rome, establishing the office of Pontifex Maximus open only to the Gentes, Patricians, so-called noble families. Setting forth the rites and rituals in their worship of their gods and planets. The Pontifex Maximus and the college of Pontiffs, having authority over all public and private religious institutions. Sounds just like today's issues. As Mike often states, The statist theocracy that infest this/our Constitutional Republic under siege !! An Ancient enemy and their on going agenda of a One world order under Roman rule. Pay close attention to " opposition at home and support abroad ", within their own ranks. Mirrors and smokescreens. Wake Up True Patriots of America. your religious sec, can actually be your enemy condoning slavery ! Independent Sovereigns know Liberty, which exposes religious slavery by their selling of Liberty at the price of money in the plate. Beware Patriots of their motives and ties with Rome, embracing religious cults built around Hate of their fellow man. They do condone slavery and oppression !

sadly, prophetic

among the best yet, though alarming

Paul, Magnolia TX - Maybe you should attempt to do your homework and search for Marcus Tullius Cicero's quote above yourself. Because you can find it on numerous and various sites if you only attempt to make the effort.

Actually, the entire quotation from Cicero shown above is bogus. It was invented by the novelist, Taylor Caldwell, for a novel she wrote about ancient Rome, Pillar of Iron.. The fact is, at that particular time, the citizens of Rome were not taxed at all. Only the provinces were taxed. The quotation is repeated on numerous websites as a quotation, and has taken on a kind of life of its own, but it does not exist in Cicero's own works.