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[81]
It is such cases as these that sometimes perplex1
us in our consideration, when the point in which
justice is violated does not seem so very significant,
but the consequences of such slight transgression
seem exceedingly important. For example, it was not
so very wrong morally, in the eyes of Marius,2 to overreach his colleagues and the tribunes in turning to
himself alone all the credit with the people; but to
secure by that means his election to the consulship,
which was then the goal of his ambition,3 seemed
very greatly to his interest. But for all cases we
have one rule, with which I desire you to be perfectly familiar: that which seems expedient must
not be morally wrong; or, if it is morally wrong, it
[p. 355]
must not seem expedient. What follows? Can we
account either the great Marius or our Marius Gratidianus a good man? Work out your own ideas and
sift your thoughts so as to see what conception and
idea of a good man they contain. Pray, tell me,
does it coincide with the character of your good man
to lie for his own profit, to slander, to overreach, to
deceive? Nay, verily; anything but that!
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