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[49]
It is only natural, O conscript fathers, that the man who
has learned to appreciate real glory, and who feels that he is considered by the
senate and by the Roman knights and the whole Roman people a citizen who is dear
to, and a blessing to the republic, should think nothing whatever deserving of
being compared to this glory. Would that it had happened to Caius
Caesar—the father, I mean—when he was a young man, to be
beloved by the senate and by every virtuous citizen, but, having neglected to
aim at that, he wasted all the power of genius which he had in a most brilliant
degree, in a capricious pursuit of popular favor. Therefore, as he had not
sufficient respect for the senate and the virtuous part of the citizens, he
opened for himself that path for the extension of his power, which the virtue of
a free people was unable to bear.
But the principles of his son are widely different; who is not only beloved by
every one, but in the greatest degree by the most virtuous men. In him is placed
all our hope of liberty; from him already has our safety been received; for him
the highest honors are sought out and prepared.
M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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