[14]
If, then, this had been a popular sort of proceeding, if it had had the least particle of
equity or justice in it, would Caius Gracchus have passed it over? Forsooth, I suppose, the
death of your uncle was a greater affliction to you, than the loss of his brother was to Caius
Gracchus. And the death of that uncle whom you never saw is more painful to you, than the
death of that brother, with whom he lived on the terms of the most cordial affection, was to
him.
*******And you avenge the death of your uncle just as he would have wished to avenge the death of his brother, if he had been inclined to act on your principles. And that great Labienus, your illustrious uncle, whoever he was, left quite as great a regret behind him in the bosoms of the Roman people, as Tiberius Gracchus left? Was your piety greater than that of Gracchus? or your courage? or your wisdom? or your wealth? or your influence? or your eloquence? And yet all those qualities, if he had had ever so little of them, would have been thought great in him in comparison of your qualifications.
*******And you avenge the death of your uncle just as he would have wished to avenge the death of his brother, if he had been inclined to act on your principles. And that great Labienus, your illustrious uncle, whoever he was, left quite as great a regret behind him in the bosoms of the Roman people, as Tiberius Gracchus left? Was your piety greater than that of Gracchus? or your courage? or your wisdom? or your wealth? or your influence? or your eloquence? And yet all those qualities, if he had had ever so little of them, would have been thought great in him in comparison of your qualifications.
