68.
[142]
Those Greeks whom I have just mentioned, having been unjustly condemned and
banished by their fellow-citizens, still, because they deserved well of
their state, enjoy such renown at this present time, not in Greece alone, but among ourselves also,
and in other lands, that no one ever mentions the names of those men by whom
they were oppressed, and that every one prefers their disasters to the
superior power of their enemies. Who of the Carthaginians was superior to
Hannibal in wisdom, and valour, and actual achievements? a man who
single-handed fought for so many years for empire and for glory with such
numbers of our generals. His own fellow-citizens banished him from the city;
but we see that he, though our enemy, is celebrated in the writings and
recollection of our citizens.
[143]
Let us then imitate our Bruti, our
Camilli, and Ahalae our Decii, our Curius, and Fabricius, and Maximus, our
Scipios, our Lentuli, our Aemilii, and countless others, who have given
liberty to this republic; all of whom I consider deserving of being ranked
among the company and number of the immortal gods. Let us love our country,
let us obey the senate, let us consult the interests of the good; let us disregard present rewards, and fix our eyes on the glory which
we shall receive from posterity. Let us think that the most desirable
conduct, which is the most upright; let us hope for whatever we choose, but
bear whatever befalls us, let us consider, lastly, that the bodies of brave
men and great citizens are mortal, but that the impulses of the mind and the
glory of virtue are everlasting. And let us not if we see that the opinion
is consecrated by the most holy example of the great Hercules, whose body
indeed has been burnt but whose life and virtue are said to have received
instant immortality, think any the less that they who by their counsels and
labours have either increased the greatness or defended the safety, or
preserved the existence of this great republic have acquired everlasting
glory.
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