Cicero on Man's Best Friend

As for dogs which mount faithful guard, fawn affectionately on their masters, show such detestation of strangers, exhibit an astonishing ability to pick up a scent, and show such enthusiasm for the hunt, what does all this denote except that they are bred for the benefit of the human race?

Cicero, On the Nature of the Gods Book II

Cicero on the Sea

How beautiful again is the sea, and how splendid in its entirety, with its crowd and variety of islands, its picturesque coastlines and beaches! It is the home of so many different species of marine life, partly dwelling under water, partly floating and swimming on the surface, and partly encrusted on the rocks with its shells. The sea itself in its longing to embrace the land, sports on its shoreline, so that the two elements seem to merge into one.

Cicero, On the Nature of the Gods, book II