[48]
But if there be any one who thinks that
youth is to be wholly interdicted from amours with courtesans, he certainly
is very strict indeed. I cannot deny what he says; but
still he is at variance not only with the licence of the present age, but
even with the habits of our ancestors, and with what they used to consider
allowable. For when was the time that men were not used to act in this
manner? when was such conduct found fault with? when was it not permitted?
when, in short, was the time when that which is lawful was not lawful? Here,
now, I will lay down what I consider a general rule: I will name no woman in
particular; I will leave the matter open for each of you to apply what I say
as he pleases.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B. A. London. George Bell & Sons, York Street, Covent Garden. 1891.
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