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[114]
But if those
deliverers of ours have taken themselves away out of our sight, still they have
left behind the example of their conduct. They have done what no one else had
done. Brutus pursued Tarquinius with
war; who was a king when it was lawful for a king to exist in Rome. Spurius Cassius, Spurius. Maelius, and
Marcus.Manlius were all slain because
they were suspected of aiming at regal power. These are the first men who have
ever ventured to attack, sword in hand, a man who was not aiming at regal power,
but actually reigning. And their action is not only of itself a glorious and
godlike exploit, but it is also one put forth for our imitation; especially
since by it they have acquired such glory as appears hardly to be bounded by
heaven itself. For although in the very consciousness of a glorious action there
is a certain reward, still I do not consider immortality of glory a thing to be
despised by one who is himself mortal.
M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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