Opes, potentia

Latin Construction

opes, potentia.

1. ‘Material power’ and ‘political power’.

Constructions

none yet collected

Loci

• αʹ Cicero, Ad Atticum 2.9:

non enim poterimus ulla esse invidia spoliati opibus et illa senatoria potentia

because we can't be anything to envy, stripped of power and that senatorial influence

• βʹ Cicero, Ad Familiares 1.7:

qui plus opibus, armis, potentia valent

those who are stronger in resources, arms, and influence

• γʹ Cicero, De Officiis 1.3:

aut anquirunt aut consultant ad vitae commoditatem iucunditatemque, ad facultates rerum atque copias, ad opes, ad potentiam, quibus et se possint iuvare et suos

They look for or consider happiness and the comforts of life, resources and means, power, and influence, by which they can help both themselves and their friends.

• γ² Cicero, De Officiis 1.25:

tradetque se totum rei publicae neque opes aut potentiam consectabitur

he will devote himself up entirely to his country, and won't pursue power or influence

• δʹ Cicero, De Officiis 2.7:

latissime patet neque ad incolumitatem solum, sed etiam ad opes et potentiam valet plurimum

it has a very broad application, and not just to our security, but also to our influence and power it is most effective

• εʹ Cicero, De Officiis 3.8:

hinc opum nimiarum, potentiae non ferendae, postremo etiam in liberis civitatibus regnandi exsistunt cupiditates

From this point proceed lusts for excessive wealth, for intolerable power, and finally even for ruling over free states.

• στʹ Cicero, De Oratore 2.82:

qui utilitatem defendet, enumerabit commoda pacis, opum, potentiae, vectigalium, praesidii militum, ceterarum rerum, quarum fructum utilitate metimur, itemque incommoda contrariorum

Whoever supports utility will enumerate the advantages of peace, riches, power, income, military protection, and the rest of the things whose benefit we measure by their utility, as well as the disadvantages of their opposites.

• ζʹ Cicero, Philippica 1.12:

credo enim vos nobiles homines, magna quaedam spectantes, non pecuniam, [...] non opes violentas et populo Romano minime ferendam potentiam, sed caritatem civium et gloriam concupivisse

because I believe that you highborn men with high hopes have been striving not for money, nor for violent power or an authority the Roman people will not at all stand for, but for glory and the devotion of the people

• ηʹ Cicero, Philippica 5.18:

Quid enim stultius quam inutilem potentiam, invidiosas opes, cupiditatem dominandi praecipitem et lubricam anteferre verae, gravi, solidae gloriae?

For what's more stupid than preferring useless power, riches that attract envy, and a reckless and slippery desire to rule, over real, serious, solid glory?