The section on Legacy [1] is especially illuminating. Looks like Cicero is of the big guys referred to when they talk about the wisdom of the ancients.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicero#Legacy

I have browsed through the The Harvard Classics [1], but totally missed Cicero. I read XII. Lives, by Plutarch, but IX. On Friendship, On Old Age & Letters, by Cicero, must have seemed like a bunch of platitudes at that time. Now I know better and will read it.

[1] http://www.bartleby.com/hc/

Disrespect is generally tolerated. Memes are pretty no-go, however.