[63]
For if he had committed the deed in
a passionate and excited mood, so that he had slain his enemy while under
the influence of strong hatred, they thought that he would consider the
death of Publius Clodius an event of such importance, that he would bear
being deprived of his country with equanimity, as he had sated his hatred in
the blood of his enemy; or, if he had deliberately intended to
deliver his country by the slaughter of Clodius, then they thought that he,
as a brave man, would not hesitate, after having brought safety to his
country at his own risk, to submit with equanimity to the laws, to carry off
with himself everlasting renown, and to leave those things to us to enjoy
which he had preserved for us himself
Many also spoke of Catiline and the monsters of his train. “We
shall have another Catiline breaking out. He will occupy some strong place;
he will make war on his country.” Wretched sometimes is the fate
of those citizens who have faithfully served the republic! when men not only
forget the illustrious exploits which they have performed, but even suspect
them of the most nefarious designs!
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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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