THE POPULACE. Cn. Planc. 4. Non est enim consilium in vulgo, non ratio, non discrimen, non diligentia; semperque sapientes ea, quæ populus fecisset, ferenda, non semper laudanda duxerunt. There is no sagacity, no penetration, no powers of discrimination, no perseverance in the common people: the wise have always regarded their acts rather as to be endured than to be praised. BALLOT. Cn. Planc. 6. Etenim si populo grata est tabella, quæ frontes aperit hominum, mentes tegit: datque eam libertatem, ut, quod velint, faciant: promittant autem, quod rogentur: cur tu in judicio exprimis, quod non fit in campo? For if the voting tablet is pleasing to the people, which holds up to view the countenance, while it conceals the intentions, and gives a man liberty to do what he wishes, but to promise what is asked of him; why do you wish that to be used in a court of justice which is not done at the comitia? FILIAL AFFECTION. Cn. Planc. 12. Pietas fundamentum est omnium virtutum. The dutifulness of children is the foundation of all the virtues. SLANDER. Cn. Planc. 23. Nihil est autem tam volucre, quam maledictum; nihil facilius emittitur; nihil citius excipitur, nihil latius dissipatur. There is nothing which moves so rapidly as calumny, nothing which is more easy to be given forth; nothing is received more quickly, nothing scattered abroad more widely. A CANDIDATE. Cn. Planc. 25. Virtus, probitas, integritas in candidato, non linguæ volubilitas, non ars, non scientia requiri solet. Virtue, honesty, uprightness are the qualities that are required in a candidate, not volubility of language, nor knowledge of arts and sciences. RULES FOR LIFE. Cn. Planc. 27. Clarorum virorum atque magnorum, non minus otii quam negotii, rationem exstare oportere. The illustrious and noble ought to place before them certain rules and regulations, not less for their hours of leisure and relaxation than for those of business. CHANGE OF OPINIONS ALLOWABLE. Cn. Planc. 39. Ego vero hæc didici, hæc vidi, hæc scripta legi; hæc de sapientissimis et clarissimis viris et in hâc republicâ et in aliis civitatibus monumenta, nobis literæ prodiderunt : non semper easdem sententias ab iisdem, sed, quascumque reipublicæ status, inclinatio temporum, ratio concordiæ postularet esse defendendas. I have learnt, seen, and read, that the following are the proper principles for the guidance of man:-Ancient records and the annals of literature, both of this state and of others, have handed it down to us as the words of the wise and noble, that the same opinions and sentiments are not invariably to be supported by the same individuals, but that they ought to adopt those which may be required by the circumstances of the times, the position in which the state is placed, and according as the peace and agreement of parties may require. VIRTUE. P. Sext. 28. Virtus, quæ lucet in tenebris et pulsa loco manet tamen atque hæret in patriâ splendetque per se semper, neque alienis unquam sordibus obsolescit. Virtue, which has a reflection even in darkness, and though driven from its position, yet remains and clings to country, shines at all times of itself, and is never defaced by the disgrace of others. HATRED. Oderint dum metuant. Let them hate, provided they fear. FRIENDS AND ENEMIES. Deiot. 9. Pereant amici dum una inimici intercidant. Let friends perish, provided our enemies are destroyed. THE RESULT OF A PLAN. C. Rabir. Post. 1. Hoc plerumque facimus ut consilia eventis ponderemus et, cui bene quid processerit, multum illum providisse, cui secus, nihil sensisse dicamus. Men usually judge of the prudence of a plan by the effect, and are very apt to say that the successful man has much forethought, and the unsuccessful shews great want of it. LIBERTY. P. S. Rull. ii. 4. Quid tam populare, quam libertas? quam non solum ab hominibus, verum etiam a bestiis expeti, atque omnibus rebus anteponi videtis. What is so beneficial to the people as liberty, which we see not only to be greedily sought after by men, but also by beasts, and to be preferred to all things? MANNERS. P. S. Rull. ii. 35. Non ingenerantur hominibus mores tam a stirpe generis ac seminis, quam ex iis rebus, quæ ab ipsâ naturâ loci, et a vitæ consuetudine suppeditantur, quibus alimur et vivimus. Men's characters and habits are derived not so much from family and blood as from those things which are furnished us by our native land and its customs, by which we are supported, and by which we live. PROSPERITY. Singularis homo, privatus, nisi magnâ sapientiâ praeditus, vix facile sese regionibus officii, magnis in fortunis et copiis continet. An individual in a private station, unless he is endued with great wisdom, cannot confine himself in due bounds if he reaches high fortune and wealth. THE SOUL. C. Rabir. 10. Itaque cum multis aliis de causis virorum bonorum mentes divinæ mihi atque æternæ videntur esse, tum maxime, quod optimi et sapientissimi cujusque animus ita præsentit in posterum, ut nihil nisi sempiternum spectare videatur. Therefore, for many other reasons, the souls of the good appear to me to be divine and everlasting; but chiefly on this account, because the soul of the best and the wisest has such anticipation of the future, that it seems to regard nothing but what is eternal. REVENGE. Post Red. in Senat. i. 9. Etenim ulciscendæ injuriæ facilior ratio est, quam beneficii remunerandi, propterea quod superiorem esse contra improbos, minus est negotii, quam bonis exæquari. The means of avenging an injury is much easier than that of requiting a kindness; on this account, because it is less difficult to get the better of the bad than to make oneself equal with the good. CHIEF. Post Red. in Senat. ii. 3. VITUPERATION. Maledictio autem nihil habet propositi, præter contumeliam : quæ si petulantius jactatur, convicium; si facetius, urbanitas nominatur. Scurrility looks to nothing but incivility; if it is uttered from feelings of petulance, it is mere abuse; if it is spoken in a joking manner, it may be considered raillery. IMPERIALS. Aliquis mihi ab inferis excitandus est, ex barbatis illis, non hâc barbulâ, quâ ista delectatur; sed illâ horridâ, quam in statuis antiquis, et imaginibus videmus. Some of those old bearded men must be called up by me from the dead, not with those fashionably cut beards with which she is delighted, but men with those shaggy beards which we see represented in ancient statues and images. HOW LONG? Cat. i. 1. Quousque tandem abutere, Catilina, patientiâ nostrâ? quam diu etiam furor iste tuus nos eludet? quem ad finem sese effrenata jactabit audacia? How long, pray, O Catiline, will you abuse our patience? how long will this mad fury of yours mock us? to what end will this unbridled audacity of yours proceed? THE DEGENERACY OF THE TIMES. O tempora, O mores! videt hic tamen vivit. tum venit. Senatus hæc intelligit, consul Vivit? immo vero etiam in sena Oh! the degeneracy of the times and its manners! The senate is aware of these things, the consul sees them, yet this man lives,lives, do I say?-nay, he comes even into the very senate. WHERE ARE WE? O dii immortales! ubinam gentium sumus? TRUTH. O magna vis veritatis, quæ contra hominum ingenia, calliditatem, solertiam, contraque fictas omnium insidias, facile per se ipsa defendat. Oh! great is the power of truth, which easily is able to defend itself against the artful proceedings of men, their cunning, and their subtlety, not less than against their treachery. DESIRE OF PLEASURE. Col. 31. Insolentia voluptatum, quæ cum inclusæ diutius, et primâ ætate compressæ et constrictæ fuerunt, subito se nonnunquam profundunt, atque ejiciunt universe. |