[60]
And it was a fair condition, and one very advantageous, O judges, for us and
for all those who are connected with us in intimacy that we should carry on
our own enmities against one another as we chose, but that we should spare
the friends of our enemies. And if my authority had in this matter much
weight with those men, especially as they see that I am well instructed in
such matters both by the variety of circumstances in which I have found
myself, and by special experience in cases of this sort, I would exhort them
to give up even those greater dissensions. For I have at all times
considered it the part both of fearless citizens and of virtuous men to
labour in the administration of the affairs of the republic in such a way as
to defend whatever one really thinks best; nor have I myself ever failed in
this labour or duty or line of exertion. But contention is only wise so long
as it either does some good or, if it does not do any good, at all events
does no harm to the state.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B. A. London. George Bell & Sons, York Street, Covent Garden. 1891.
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