[5]
I was induced, O judges, by the
considerations of duty, good faith, and pity; by the example of many good men; by the
ancient customs and habits of our ancestors, to think that I ought to take upon myself
this burden of labour and duty, not for any purpose of my own, but in the time of need
to my friends. In which business, however, this fact consoles me, O judges, that this
pleading of mine which seems to be an accusation is not to be considered an accusation,
but rather a defence. For I am defending many men, many cities, the whole province of
Sicily. So that, if one person is to be
accused by me, I still almost appear to remain firm in my original purpose, and not
entirely to have given up defending and assisting men.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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