That cute Cicero

I quoted Voltaire quoting Cicero during a conversation with a friend and was called "cute." 

Given that the conversation partner did not actually pick up on it and just thought I was attempting to say something profound, my final remarks are: philosophy fail. 

My quips are oftentimes references to things that are actually important to me - and though they are intended to be taken lightly, the thought and mind that shadows them is not; otherwise, my remarks are all for naught.