Cicero on the value of philosophy

“For my part, Brutus, I am perfectly persuaded that it is expedient for me to philosophize; for what can I do better, especially as I have no regular occupation? But I am not for limiting my philosophy to a few subjects; for philosophy is a matter in which it is difficult to acquire a little knowledge without acquainting yourself with many, or all its branches.

Philosophy would never have been in such esteem in Greece itself, if it had not been for the strength which it acquired from the contenti...