[17]
Although, if indeed a certain indignation which I cannot help feeling were to
lead me who have exerted myself so much in the cause of the public safety at
times to speaking some what boastfully when refuting the aspersions of
wicked men who would not excuse me for so doing? For I did see yesterday
someone murmuring: and people said that he declared that he could not endure
me because when I was asked by that foul traitor to his country to what city
I belonged, I answered, with the approval of you and of the Roman knights
also, that I belonged to a city which could not do without me. He, I
imagine, groaned at this. What then was I to answer? (I ask that very man
who cannot endure me.) That I was a Roman citizen? It would have been a
truly learned answer. Should I have held my tongue? That would have been a
betrayal of my own cause. Can any man when it is attempted to excite odium
against him with respect to important affairs, reply with sufficient dignity
to the abuse of his enemy without some praise of himself? But no doubt he
himself, when he is attacked, not only answers as well as he can, but is
even glad to be prompted by his friends and to have an answer suggested to
him.
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