[5]
And in this case, if I had to plead the cause of Aulus
Caecina alone, I should profess myself a sufficiently capable defender of it, because I had
behaved with the greatest good faith and diligence; and when these qualities are found in an
advocate, there is no reason, especially in a plain and simple matter, for requiring any
extraordinary ability. But as I have now to speak of those rights which concern all
men,—which were established by our ancestors, and have been preserved to this time;
while, if they were taken away, not only would some part of our rights be diminished, but also
that violence, which is the greatest enemy to law, would seem to be strengthened by that
decision,—I see that the cause is one requiring the greatest abilities, not in order
to demonstrate what is before men's eyes, but to prevent (if any mistake is made by you in so
important a matter) every one from thinking that I have been wanting to the cause, rather than
that you have to your religious obligations.
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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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