If I am honest with myself I have to admit that Cicero and Niebuhr were both correct! Any study of history or anthrolpology probably reflects this.
In my own life, many of my challenges are often self induced! Issues I had years ago are pretty much the same things I struggle with now.
"Have no fear of robbers or murderers. They are external dangers. We should fear ourselves. Prejudices are the real robbers, vices the real murders. The great dangers are within us. Why worry about what threatens our heads or purses? Let us think instead of what threatens our souls." - Victor Hugo