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[59]
To find fault with the rest of his actions, O conscript fathers, is difficult,
and somewhat unsafe. He was occupied in war; he glutted himself with the
slaughter of citizens who bore no resemblance to himself He was
fortunate—if at least there can be any good fortune in wickedness. But
since we wish to show a regard for the veterans, although the cause of the
soldiers is very different from yours; they followed their chief; you went to
seek for a leader; still (that I may not give you any pretense for stirring up
odium against me among them), I will say nothing of the nature of the war.
When victorious, you returned with the legions from Thessaly to Brundusium. There you did not put me to death. It was a great
kindness! For I confess that you could have done it. Although there was no one
of those men who were with you at that time, who did not think that I ought to
be spared.
M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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