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28 November 2020

De natura deorum (On the Nature of the Gods), Cicero (106–43 BC)

[10] Qui autem requirunt, quid quaque de re ipsi sentiamus,
curiosius id faciunt, quam necesse est; non enim tam auctoritatis in
disputando quam rationis momenta quaerenda sunt. Quin etiam obest
plerumque iis, qui discere volunt, auctoritas eorum, qui se docere
profitentur; desinunt enim suum iudicium adhibere, id habent ratum,
quod ab eo, quem probant, iudicatum vident. Nec vero probare soleo id,
quod de Pythagoreis accepimus, quos ferunt, si quid adfirmarent in
disputando, cum ex iis quaereretur, quare ita esset, respondere solitos
"ipse dixit"; ipse autem erat Pythagoras: tantum opinio praeiudicata
poterat, ut etiam sine ratione valeret auctoritas.

English translation from De natura deorum: Academica; with an English translation by H. Rackham

[10] V. Those however who seek to learn my personal
opinion on the various questions show an unreasonable
degree of curiosity. In discussion it is not so much
weight of authority as force of argument that should
be demanded. Indeed the authority of those who
profess to teach is often a positive hindrance to those
who desire to learn they cease to employ their own
judgement, and take what they perceive to be the
verdict of their chosen master as settling the question.
In fact I am not disposed to approve the practice tra-
ditionally ascribed to the Pythagoreans, who, when
questioned as to the grounds of any assertion that
they advanced in debate, are said to have been
accustomed to reply 'He himself said so,' 'he
himself' being Pythagoras. So potent was an
opinion aheady decided, making authority prevail
unsupported by reason.