Laudator Temporis Acti

Cicero, In Defense of Gnaeus Plancius 12.29 (tr. N.H. Watts):

For in my opinion filial affection is the basis of all virtues.

nam meo iudicio pietas fundamentum est omnium virtutum.

Cf. id. 33.80-81:

For indeed, gentlemen, while I would fain have some tincture of all the virtues, there is no quality I would sooner have, and be thought to have, than gratitude. For gratitude not merely stands alone at the head of all the virtues, but is even mother of all the rest. What is filial affection, if not a benevolent gratitude to one’s parents? What is patriotism, what is service to one's country in war and peace, if it is not a recollection of benefits received from that country? What is piety and religion, save a due reverence and remembrance in paying to the immortal gods the thanks that we owe? Take friendship away, and what joy can life continue to hold? More, how can friendship exist at all between those who are devoid of gratitude?

Who is there of us that has received an enlightened upbringing who does not constantly ponder with grateful recollection upon those who had the care of him, upon his tutors and teachers, and even upon the inanimate scenes of his rearing and schooling?

etenim, iudices, cum omnibus virtutibus me affectum esse cupio, tum nihil est, quod malim quam me et gratum esse et videri. Haec est enim una virtus non solum maxima, sed etiam mater virtutum omnium reliquarum. quid est pietas nisi voluntas grata in parentes? qui sunt boni cives, qui belli, qui domi de patria bene merentes, nisi qui patriae beneficia meminerunt? qui sancti, qui religionum colentes, nisi qui meritam diis immortalibus gratiam iustis honoribus et memori mente persolvunt? quae potest esse iucunditas vitae sublatis amicitiis? quae porro amicitia potest esse inter ingratos?

quis est nostrum liberaliter educatus, cui non educatores, cui non magistri sui, atque doctores, cui non locus ipse mutus ille, ubi altus aut doctus est, cum grata recordatione in mente versetur?