[8]
I wish, however, that you would keep one thing in mind; first of all, to form
a correct estimate of yourself, and to learn to think yourself
such a man as in truth you are; in order to keep yourself as clear of
licentiousness of language as you are free from all impropriety of conduct;
and secondly, to avoid alleging those things against another, which would
make you blush if in reply they were falsely imputed to you. For who is
there to whom such a path as that is not open? who is there who is not able
to attack a man of Caelius's age and of Caelius's rank as petulantly as he
pleases on that subject, even if without any real grounds for suspicion, at
all events not without some apparent argument? But the people who are to
blame for your undertaking that part, are they who compelled you to make
these allegations. This praise belongs to your own modesty, of being, as we
saw that you were, unwilling to make them; and to your genius, of making
them in a courteous and polite manner.
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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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