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What is the use then of waiting, or of
even a delay for the very shortest time? For although the first of January is at
hand, still a short time is a long one for people who are not prepared. For a
day, or I should rather say an hour, often brings great disasters, if no
precautions are taken. And it is not usual to wait for a fixed day for holding a
council, as it is for celebrating a festival. But if the first of January had
fallen on the day when Antonius first fled from the city, or if people had not
waited for it, we should by this time have no war at all, For we should easily
have crushed the audacity of that frantic man by the authority of the senate and
the unanimity of the Roman people. And now, indeed, I feel confident that the
consuls elect will do so, as soon as they enter on their magistracy. For they
are men of the highest courage, of the most consummate wisdom, and they will act
in perfect harmony with each other. But my exhortations to rapid and instant
action are prompted by a desire not merely for victory, but for speedy victory.
M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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