If the authority of those who are advocates in a person's defence be of any
weight, the cause of Lucius Cornelius has been defended by the most
honourable men; if their experience is to be regarded, it has been defended
by the most skillful lawyers; if we look to their ability, by the most
eloquent of orators; or if it is their sincerity and zeal that we should
regard, it has been upheld by those who are his greatest friends, and who
are united to Lucius Cornelius not merely by mutual services, but by the
greatest intimacy. What part, then, have I in this defence? That which is
given to me by such influence as you have been pleased to allow me; by
moderate experience; and by an ability which is by no means equal to my
inclination to serve him. For as to the other men by whom he has been
defended, I see that to them he is under great obligations;
but how much I am under obligations to him I will explain to you at another
time. This I assert at the beginning of my speech,—that if I
cannot by my exertions properly requite all those men who have been friendly
to my safety and to my dignity, I will at all events recompense them as far
as in my power by at all times both feeling and declaring my obligations and
my gratitude.
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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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