[55]
But first of all I will say a little, which has just occurred to me, about the hard fortune
of Lucius Murena. For I have often before now, O judges, judging both by the miseries of
others, and by my own daily cares and labours, considered those men fortunate, who, being at a
distance from the pursuits of ambition, have addicted themselves to ease and tranquillity of
life; and now especially I am so affected by these serious and unexpected dangers of Lucius
Murena, that I am unable adequately to express my pity for the common condition of all of us,
or for his particular state and fortune; who while, after an uninterrupted series of honours
attained by his family and his ancestors, he was endeavouring to mount one step higher in
dignity, has incurred the danger of losing both the honours bequeathed to him by his
forefathers, and those too which have been acquired by himself, and now, on account of his
pursuit of this new honour, is brought into the danger of losing his ancient fortune also.
This text is part of:
M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B. A. London. Henry G. Bohn, York Street, Covent Garden. 1856.
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