When we try to understand the nature of Cicero and his writings on human obligation, we must first understand the meaning of the virtuous life that Cicero gives . For it is only by grasping Cicero's denotation of individual virtue that we can understand the foundation on which vitreous society rests in Cicero's own terms. To the extent that this is true, this article will seek to demonstrate that Cicero, as reflected in the second book of his De Officiis, sought to promote individual virtue as the necessary foundation upon which a virtuous society can exist. However, before continuing, a little historical context is necessary. Cicero begins his account in the morning with the loss of Rome's adherence to good governance. Citing the history of the Roman Republic and its inability to maintain stable leadership, Cicero believes that Rome has fallen into the hands of those who prefer to overturn politics rather than reform the political system through due process. For Cicero, such a decline in virtuous governance was at the heart of Rome's decadence. And it is within this operational framework that Cicero lets his audience know that his writings reflect not what the State is, but rather what the State was supposed to be in the proper sense of its government, namely a state of integrity based on virtuous obligation. Thus, in an attempt to unravel such decadence within the Roman Empire, Cicero offers a philosophical paradigm for reversing the course of Roman history toward virtuous living. Considering philosophy as the telos of desirability, Cicero focuses his argument on the aspects that constitute virtuous obligation. Cicero masterfully conveys the reasoning that what is just is also useful; what is honorable is also just; thus, what is honorable is also useful. Su...... middle of paper ...... individuals are motivated by virtuous action, and such action is in the service of others through trust, a virtuous society can exist. In fact, such a philosophical paradigm seems to lay the foundations on which a virtuous society can rest. Ultimately, Cicero makes three things clear in his plea for a virtuous life. First, this sound reasoning is the foundation for understanding what virtuous obligation entails. Second, to behave virtuously, when one acts out of obligation, is to live virtuously. And third, acting in accordance with virtue, through trust in others, is the first step toward creating a society that acts virtuously. For Cicero, even if one can only practice some of the above, only by adhering to all aspects of virtuous living can Roman society return to its ideal form of existence , namely a virtuous society..